Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope, Dark Blue

Product Information

Essentially, the focal ratio is an indicator of the telescope’s “speed.” While the concept might seem complex, it can be simplified as follows: a telescope with a faster focal ratio, like F/5, captures brighter images compared to a slower one, say F/10. In practical terms, an image viewed through an F/5 telescope will be four times brighter than that seen through an F/10 telescope. This brightness advantage is particularly beneficial when observing dimmer celestial objects like nebulae and galaxies. INCREDIBLE views of objects, great for very close planetary observations and very good at looking at Messier/deep space objects. None of these were super prominent or overly concerning but it did crop up enough during my research to mention it here. I did not have any such issues. Verdict The 130mm refractor telescope is intuitive to use. Explore the sky with the two slow-motion control knobs that allow for fine pointing adjustments in both Right Ascension (RA) and Declinations (DEC) axes. The included tripod has an adjustable height of up to 1.3 meters and an accessory tray. The telescope comes with two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a finderscope, and an equatorial mount with steel legs that make it easy to set up and align.

Assembling your own telescope might seem daunting at first, especially for beginners in astronomy. However, rest assured that Celestron has designed its Astromaster line with accessibility in mind. With patience and attention to detail, you’ll soon be able to enjoy stunning views of Jupiter’s moons or distant galaxies thanks to your very own Celestron Astromaster 130EQ. Limitations of Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ:The software is handy for beginners who need some help identifying different objects in the sky. To conclude… The unfortunate thing here is that unlike the more expensive telescopes out there, the 130EQ utilises a spherical primary mirror as opposed to a parabolic mirror which will result in an inferior overall experience particularly when it comes to the alignment/collimation process of the mirrors. The red dot finder mounted on the telescope makes it easier to find and focus on objects. You first align an object with the red dot and then use the telescope eyepiece to fine-tune your focus. 4. Portable While the telescope can certainly be used to observe solar system objects like the moon and planets, its design and focal ratio mean that achieving highly detailed views of these objects might be more challenging compared to other telescopes optimized for such observations. As for the telescopes weight and dimensions, fully assembled the 130EQ comes in at 12.6kg which is a little heavy but for convenience you could always separately move the tripod and the telescope tube.

The AstroMaster 130EQ reflector telescope is a well-rounded instrument that comes equipped with Starry Night astronomy software. This feature allows users to delve into the night sky through a virtual setting, enhancing their astronomical experience and providing them with an opportunity to learn more about planets, stars, and celestial objects. Given the telescope’s affordable price, the included eyepieces provide satisfactory performance, though more serious enthusiasts might consider investing in higher-quality eyepieces or adding a Barlow lens to further enhance their astronomical experience. The free starry night astronomy software included in the Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ box The eq mount is heavy and not practical to use for a beginner. Thankfully I had the ressources to build a custom Dobsonian mount out of plywood, which greatly improved the observation experience. 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.This telescope is a little skimpy on extra features, accessories, and documentation but if you are looking for a reflector telescope that works and works well without any frills then this is a great option. Overall, while there are more advanced telescopes available on the market, the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ is an excellent entry-level option for those just starting their stargazing journey. The Sky-Watcher Heritage 130p offers the same aperture as the 130EQ but with better optics, better accessories, a collapsible tube, and a simple tabletop Dobsonian mount. Although its short focal length enables it to perform best in planetary viewing, its 650mm focal length and 130mm aperture allow it to provide crisp, clear images of the moon, stars, and planets. However, higher magnifications may result in image degradation due to atmospheric turbulence or insufficient aperture size.

Looking to upgrade your equipment? Get competitive prices on major brands with our part-exchange service. 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. 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. Seemingly as part of an effort to reduce manufacturing costs and maximize 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. If you are a beginner or you are thinking about getting it as a gift for a beginner enthusiast, it’s a great choice.The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ is a decent telescope for beginners. It has a large aperture, which means it can gather a lot of light and provide detailed views of celestial objects such as the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. Der Sucher mit dem roten Lichtpunkt hat mich wirklich überrascht. Ist er erst einmal justiert (ich habe einen Schornstein in der Nähe dazu benutzt), lassen sich damit Planeten wie Saturn und Jupiter wirklich einfach anpeilen. Das war bei einem früheren billigen Teleskop viel schwieriger. The CG-3 is an equatorial mount, which needs to be aligned with the Pole Star, Polaris. (Image credit: Celestron) Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ: Performance Comes with x10 and x20 Plossl eyepieces, and they are excellent lenses (for the prices eyepieces go for!