Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Sun and Moon Kit

About this product

The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Sun & Moon Kit will open up the sky for you and your entire family to discover. With excellent light grasp, point-and-view ease of use, and an array of super helpful included accessories, the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope is truly one of the best beginner telescope values on the market today.

Built around a big 6" (152mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror, the XT6 telescope collects nearly 80% more light than a 4.5" reflector telescope, rendering brighter views of the cosmos with greater detail when viewing deep-sky objects such as open and globular star clusters, nebulas, and brighter galaxies. With a long focal length of 1178mm and focal ratio of f/7.7, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope performs especially well for planetary and lunar observation. Bright planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars show an impressive amount of detail. And the Moon's battered, crater-pocked surface will keep you captivated night after night. When the night ends the viewing doesn't have to stop. Simply install the included Safety Film Solar Filter over the front of the telescope to enjoy captivating views of sunspots, eclipses, and planetary transits of our nearest celestial neighbor. The SkyQuest XT6 coupled with the solar filter is an excellent combo to view the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses!

This new version of the venerable SkyQuest XT6 telescope features a 2" Crayford focuser — an upgrade from the previous version's 1.25" focuser. The 2" Crayford allows use of optional 2" eyepieces, which often allow for a wider apparent field of view than corresponding 1.25" eyepieces. An included 2"-to-1.25" step-down adapter accommodates 1.25" eyepieces, such as the 25mm Plossl that comes with the telescope. It provides a significant 47x magnifying power.

The XT6's 44"-long enameled steel optical tube glides with silky smoothness on the sturdy Dobsonian base. You just grasp the front of the tube and point it toward your target using simple up-down and left-right motions. The "red dot" (LED) finder scope makes it easy to find your target object and center it in the telescope's eyepiece. There are no complicating counterweights, gears, clutches, or polar alignment to fuss with.

To set up the SkyQuest XT6 Classic telescope, you just lift the optical tube and set it in the base's cradle (one-time base assembly required), then connect the CorrecTension springs. Done. To transport the telescope, just unhook the springs from the base, lift the tube off, and carry the base and tube separately. The base even has a convenient carry handle.

The SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Sun & Moon Kit includes a Safety Film Solar Filter that fits over the front of your telescope. This Orion white-light solar filter is designed to see sunspots and granulation around the sun spots on the solar disk. It is not a Hydrogen-alpha filter which shows prominence and solar flare detail. For that type of solar viewing, consider upgrading to a Coronado Solar Telescope. Also included is a glare-reducing moon filter to better observe the myriad details of the moon. Along with the great accessories found on our standard package: Orion's MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter for taking pictures through the telescope's eyepiece.

Explore the fun of daytime astronomy with the included Safety Film Solar Filter.

In addition to stargazing at night, you can also use the SkyQuest XT6 telescope during daytime hours thanks to the included Safety Film Solar Filter, which lets you safely observe sunspots as they march across the surface of our nearest star. The solar filter rejects all harmful light from the Sun, while allowing a very small fraction of light to pass through, so you can safely enjoy the fun of daytime solar astronomy.

This solar filter is designed and manufactured in the USA.

Cut the Moon's glare and see more detail on its surface with the Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter.

This popular accessory reduces glare and boosts contrast so you can enjoy more-detailed views of lunar surface features. It blocks 87% of the Moon's brightness to provide a more comfortable view and reveal subtle details. It's a neutral density filter that will not alter the natural color of the Moon, either.

Use the Orion MoonMap 260 to identify lunar features.

With locations and names of over 260 features on the Moon such as craters, mountains, valleys, "seas" and more, the MoonMap 260 is a great tool for beginning astronomers. This detailed map will even show you where various spacecraft have landed on the Moon's surface!

The Orion DeepMap 600 will guide you to fascinating celestial gems.

Full-color star map of the night sky with clearly indicated positions of 600 of the finest celestial objects to view. It folds up just like a road map for easy storage and transport. Back side lists essential data for all 600 objects, including a brief visual description of each. An ideal reference for beginners and advanced observers alike! Printed on dew-proof plastic.

Take smartphone pictures of the view through your telescope with this Smartphone Telescope adapter.

Adjustable smartphone holder clamps onto the telescope's eyepiece, allowing you to take shake-free, well-focused, high-power photos of celestial objects. Sure beats trying to steadily hand-hold your phone over the eyepiece — frustrating! You'll get lots of "keepers" with this smartphone photo adapter.

Powerful, easy to use, and affordable, the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope has the makings for a beautiful relationship between you, your family, and the wonders of the night sky.

Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).

Orion assures that all solar filters are tested at specialized labs that are accredited to verify compliance with the ISO 12312-2 safety specifications for solar viewing.