The equatorial mount is very heavy and of solid built quality but the pointers are just not right and you can't be sure which degree u are setting on it. Out of the box, this reflector comes with everything the observer needs to shoot pleasing images of the Moon, bright planets and more luminous deep-sky targets. It's not possible to partake in long-exposure images, but as an introduction to astrophotography the AstroMaster 130EQ is certainly worth a look – especially given the very reasonable price tag, clear and crisp views and excellent overall build. Lots of patience is required to be able to see what you actually want to see, trust me patience will give you all that you want from this telescope. Spherical mirrors are less expensive to manufacture but are prone to spherical aberration, especially in larger mirrors, affecting image clarity. Conversely, parabolic mirrors, which are free from spherical aberration, are considered superior in terms of image quality. They are particularly beneficial for larger apertures, but this comes at a higher cost. Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ is an excellent telescope for beginners and intermediate astronomers. It provides sharp and clear images of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. However, the spherical primary mirror may cause some distortion and reduce the sharpness of the image. What is the price range of Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ?

It’s mostly ideal for lunar and planetary observations. But with the right eyepiece, you can coax some decent quality deep space images out of it, though you’ll be limited to the brighter galaxies and clusters. The size of the aperture allows this telescope to gather 345x more light than the unaided eye and can reach the highest theoretical magnification of 307x. That is a lot of power that allows you to try and see distant objects that other telescopes struggle to view. The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope is the largest and priciest member of the popular Astromaster line of telescopes. True to their usual form, Celestron is offering a great telescope for a great price. Geared towards the casual or novice astronomer the Astromaster telescopes have been a great starting point for aspiring stargazers for years. The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ Reflector is on the higher end of telescopes offering more power and more features for deep space viewing. This telescope is going to be better for general sky viewing as opposed to specific targeting of objects. This is because of the low focal ratio of f/5. This is going to give you a wide field of view which benefits looking at a large patch of sky opposed to a small patch of sky.

Great newtonian telescope, amazing views of dark skies and planets, but definitely not for beginners Additionally, this telescope can accommodate a motor drive that can be added to the mount to automate this process even further. Seemingly as part of an effort to reduce manufacturing costs and maximise profit, Celestron is putting spherical primary mirrors in at least some of its AstroMaster 130EQ units. These mirrors cannot focus light correctly (a proper Newtonian telescope uses a parabolic mirror), and they make the telescope nearly unusable at high magnifications.

The primary mirror in Newtonian reflectors, such as the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ, is a critical component with a significant impact on the telescope’s performance. These mirrors are either spherical or parabolic in shape, but never flat. The bulk of the AstroMaster 130 scopes I’ve seen have had acceptable primary mirrors–usually not quite parabolic but not quite spherical either–but a few have had spherical primaries that made for mushy views. I’ve also seen a few with great optics. The major saving grace happened to be with its somewhat reasonable pricing but, as I’ll mention below there are alternatives for a similar price that do provide a better overall experience. It’s also ideal for older kids – 8+ years – though you may need to help them learn the basics of using the mount and finderscope. What accessories are included? Within the solar system, you’re limited primarily by the scope’s optical quality. With a good sample of the 130EQ, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the Cassini division in Saturn’s rings, the ice caps and albedo markings of Mars, and even the tiniest lunar craters (as small as a few miles across) are visible with the telescope. With a poor unit, the planets are mushy and devoid of fine detail, though the rings of Saturn and the cloud belts of Jupiter are still visible and the Moon may look acceptable to a beginner. Astrophotography with Astromaster 130EQWithin the solar system, you’re limited primarily by the scope’s optical quality. With a good sample of the 130EQ, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the Cassini division in Saturn’s rings, the ice caps and albedo markings of Mars, and even the tiniest lunar craters (as small as a few miles across) are visible with the telescope. With a poor unit, the planets are mushy and devoid of fine detail, though the rings of Saturn and the cloud belts of Jupiter are still visible and the Moon may look acceptable to a beginner. Alternative Recommendations The primary mirror of the Astromaster 130 EQ has a diameter of 130mm and a focal ratio of f/5, making it ideal for both deep-space observation and terrestrial viewing.

The Celestron AstoMaster 130EQ’s 130mm aperture and high quality optics makes it a good choice for beginners looking for an affordable telescope that is easy to use.

The Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) of the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ is a crucial component, comprising a durable metal tube adorned with plastic elements at both ends and featuring preassembled mounting rings with a dovetail bar. The design of the OTA is aesthetically pleasing, showcasing an appealing color scheme that enhances its visual appeal. Additionally, it is equipped with adjusting screws for the primary mirror located at the tube’s end, essential for the telescope’s collimation. Da ich mitten in der Stadt wohne, habe ich mich bis jetzt auf Mond, Jupiter und Saturn konzentriert. Read on for my full review. Celestron Astromaster 130EQ review What are you buying? 1. Beginner 130mm reflector telescope It is important to consider the limitations of the Astromaster 130EQ when evaluating its suitability for astronomical observation. One significant limitation is its aperture size, which measures only 5.1 inches in diameter.

The CG-3 has a Vixen dovetail saddle so in theory you could put a different optical tube on it, but it wouldn’t really make financial sense to do so under most circumstances. The Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ is absolutely worth it. It is a fully functional telescope that can serve you for many years, providing you with views of celestial objects like the moon’s craters, Jupiter’s bands, Saturn’s rings, and deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters. Hence, it is a fantastic choice for beginners, especially with its affordable price point. The software provides an immersive experience that makes it possible for enthusiasts to explore the universe in detail without leaving their homes. The Starry Night astronomy software is easy to use and provides a wealth of information on various celestial objects. Users can navigate through different star systems, observe planets up close, and study nebulas in detail. Astrophotography is next-to-impossible with this telescope: I got into this wanting to take pictures, and for that purpose, its' only stable enuf for really good smart phone and a clamp mount at best. The viewfinder is on the side of the tube, and anything heavier than a cellphone will make it entirely unbalanced. But I've discovered that most telescopes are not really great at astrophotography...they are great for true, naked-eye astronomy though lol Accessories include a 20mm and 10mm eyepiece, and a finderscope. The two eyepieces offer different magnifications for low and high powered views. The 20mm has a built-in erect image corrector.Accessories include a 20mm and 10mm eyepiece, a finderscope, a smartphone adapter, and a motor drive. The two eyepieces offer different magnifications for low and high powered views. Submit a valuation request and we'll provide guide prices with no delay. Plus, we'll collect your gear from your home or work for FREE. That being said, the German manual equatorial mount is solid quality. It works well and if you can see Polaris to align it properly then it works great. I just feel boxed in by the equatorial mount when I want to be wheeling my aperture across the sky more freely. Comes mostly ready to go, alignment for me was (mostly) in place, but still needs proper collimating for serious users.