Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher 200mm F/1200 Truss-Tube Black Diamond

Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher 200mm F/1200 Truss-Tube Black Diamond Product Description

Corresponding to the escalating aperture fever that has gripped amateur astronomy for several decades, an 8 diameter is now generally regarded as the minimum entry level aperture for serious observing. The low cost, large diameter, and fast focal ratio of the 8 Sky Watcher Dobsonian make it an ideal dedicated telescope for wide field, deep space observation of faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. The low power dramatically captures wide swaths of sky in a single view. Galaxies and nebula appear to pop out of the heavens as bright, expansive masses of stars, gas, and dust.

Observing with the 8 Sky Watcher Dobsonian

If you have never before observed through a high quality, wide field Dobsonian, like the SW 8 DOB, you are in for 1 of the sweetest experiences in amateur astronomy. Imagine the exhilaration of opening a clam and discovering a pearl. The sky is full of pearls, astronomical pearls. While they won 39 t make you rich in the financial sense, for amateur astronomers at least, observing the fabled pearls of deep space is a rich and even exhilarating pastime. A catharsis for the soul that renders the mundane insignificant, and reconnects us with the inner child who revels in awe and wonderment. A night observing with the SW 8 Dob can leave you with a lingering sense of contentment long after the evening 39 s viewing is over. Some of amateur astronomy 39 s most revered and enthusiastically observed extra solar system objects are now within your reach. This instrumentation provides entry into the brotherhood of serious amateur astronomers 39 you have arrived!

The winter sky is aglow with astronomical pearls. In the constellation Sagittarius several of the sky 39 s most prominent emission nebulae can be seen well in your 8 SW DOB. The Lagoon Nebula M8 is a rich aggregation of dust and gasses illuminated by its youthful central stars. This is an area of star formation, the universe giving birth. The Lagoon Nebula appears fiery red in astrophotographs due to the hot hydrogen gas. Located nearby is the smaller, but very beautiful Trifid Nebula M20 . These 2 nebulae can actually be seen in the same field of view. The magnificent Swan Nebula M17 is also located in Sagittarius. It is named the Swan for its resemblance to the stately bird. The sky 39 s most awesome globular star cluster, M13, is located in the constellation Hercules, a bee hive of thousands of stars swarming about a central core. Globular clusters are no longer being formed in the universe, so you are observing fossil light, a glimpse back in time. This is the brightest object of its kind and always a treat to view. The globular cluster M92 is likewise very interesting and can also be found in Hercules.

The summer sky holds several stunning pearls oft referred to in popular culture, not just astronomy. Our closest external galaxy, the beautiful Andromeda, perhaps the defining galaxy of the classic spiral form can essentially be seen almost in its entirety within 1 eyepiece field. Summer 39 s diffuse Great Orion Nebula M42 is the brightest emission nebula in the heavens. While it can be seen with the naked eye from a dark location, it is nothing less than spectacular in an 8 SW DOB. A billowing cloudlike cauldron of dust and gasses illuminated by large, intensely glowing youthful stars, this object is perhaps the mother of all pearls. The preceding is just a short sampling of objects that can be seen. Many more pearls of the night sky await you.
Sky Watcher Dobsonians Epitomize Ease of Use

Observing with a Dobsonian has been described akin to shooting ducks in a gallery because it is so easy to find your target. Just swing your SkyWatcher DOB to the quadrant of sky to be searched, and scan the vicinity. An 9x50mm optical viewfinder provides both magnification and light gathering to help narrow your search for those elusive fuzzies when star hopping. The standard equipment backlash free 2 Crayford Focuser insures ultra smooth focusing adjustments. Multi coated, 4 element Plossl eyepieces 25mm and 10mm provide a spacious 52 degree Apparent Field of View.

To ensure mechanical ease of use, SkyWatcher uses a high performance Teflon bearing system in both axes combined with tension adjustment in altitude to facilitate setting the appropriate amount of friction, assuring smooth vertical and horizontal manual movement without free play from small bumps or gusts of wind. This also eliminates the need to have a balanced optical tube as in an equatorial mount. Sky Watcher 39 s Teflon bearing system is preferable to the use of ball bearings. Ball bearings make unintended movement of the optical tube more difficult to control. Fortunately, at low power, deep space objects leisurely drift through the field of the SW 8 DOB, so constant mechanical adjustment of the telescope 39 s orientation isn 39 t needed to keep objects in the field of view.

Sky Watcher 39 s revolutionary truss support concept allows the optical tube 39 s front and back cells to collapse together, aligning on the truss support rods which can then be locked down for easy and secure telescope transport. This 1 piece, low hassle OTA design is mechanically simple and results in large aperture telescopes that can be reasonably handled and transported by 1 individual. This innovation gives Sky Watcher users tremendous functional ease of transportability.

Sky Watcher Uses Quality Components Throughout

The Sky Watcher 8 DOB utilizes quality components throughout. Pride of workmanship manifests itself in high quality standards of optical and mechanical fabrication. The polishing process for primary and diagonal mirror yields smooth mirror surfaces ensuring good contrast, and properly corrected optics show minimum alterations to the optical wave front.

On each primary mirror, and elliptical diagonal mirror aluminum is vacuum deposited to the front glass surface and then over coated with hard quartz SiO4 . Additional layers of Titanium Dioxide TiO2 and SiO4 are then applied. Dust covers help keep your DOB clean when not in use.

The mechanical and structural components of the OTA exhibit rigid construction and outstanding stability. The mount construction is sturdy and rigid. Mount design, while simple, facilitates smooth motions about both axes. Quality accessories enhance the observer 39 s viewing experience.

Specifications

• Magnifications with Eyepieces supplied x48 x120
• Highest Practical Power Potential x400
• Diameter of Primary Mirror 200mm
• Telescope Focal Length 1200mm f/6
• Eyepieces Supplied 1.25 10mm 25mm
• Dual Fit 1.25 /2 Crayford Focuser
• Parabolic Primary Mirror
• 0.5mm Ultra Thin Secondary Mirror Supports
• 9x50 Finderscope
• Direct SLR Camera Connection
• 3 Point tube locking system
• Wooden Alt Azimuth Mount with Accessory Tray
• 77% more Light Gathering than 150mm

Package Contents

• Sky Watcher 200mm 8 F/1200 Truss Tube Black Diamond
• 9x50 Finderscope
• Alt Azimuth mount and accessory tray
• 10mm and 25mm eyepieces