Our largest aperture SpaceProbe reflector telescope is the niftiest Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount we've seen in a long time. The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope is a quality telescope with a fast parabolic mirror for more serious beginning or intermediate stargazers who want additional performance, particularly for targeting deep-sky objects.
Just what's so nifty about the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope? The answer is best described as "short and sweet."
First, the short: This "ST", or "Short Tube", version of the SpaceProbe 130 reflector is indeed more compact than a standard model 130mm. The focal length of the ST's 130mm (5.1") primary mirror is 650mm (f/5), yielding a wider field of view and brighter images for a given telescope eyepiece focal length.
That brings us to sweet. The 130mm aperture primary is a diffraction-limited parabolic mirror. While many similar reflector telescopes on the market utilize spherically figured mirrors, for the SpaceProbe we insisted on using a parabolic primary mirror like those found in larger, observatory quality reflectors because it produces better sharpness across the field with less distortion at the edges. On a short-focal-length design like this one, a parabolic mirror is a must for delivering sharp, detailed images. Parabolic mirrors are more expensive to manufacture, but the payoff is in higher quality celestial images in the eyepiece. This feature combined with the included equatorial mount with dovetail cradle mounting and included accessories described below make this one sweet optical system for astronomy!
Begin your night sky explorations with the included DeepMap 600.
Full-color star map of the night sky with clearly indicated positions of 600 of the finest celestial objects to view. Star chart conveniently folds up just like a road map for easy storage and transport. Orion DeepMap 600 shows the night sky from declination +90-deg to -60-deg. Back of chart lists essential data for all 600 objects of interest, including a brief visual description of each object - an ideal reference for beginners and advanced observers alike! Printed on dew-proof plastic for durability in the field, even in damp conditions.
Use the Orion MoonMap 260 to learn more about the lunar features you see in the telescope.
With locations and names of over 260 features on the Moon such as craters, mountains, valleys, "seas" and more, the included Orion 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 whole family will enjoy looking at the Moon with the telescope, then using the MoonMap 260 to learn the names of the craters and other features observed.
Take smartphone pictures of the view through your telescope with this Smartphone Telescope adapter.
Quick and easy self-centering eyepiece clamp provides fast installation. Provides a stable platform for your smartphone to yield stable, clearly focused snapshots. Compatible with even the biggest modern smartphones as large as 3-3/4" wide. Twist-lock eyepiece clamp compatible with telescope, binocular, and microscope eyepieces measuring 25-45mm in diameter
The included 1.25" 25mm Plossl eyepiece (which uses all-glass multi-coated optics) provides a 26-power view when used with the SpaceProbe 130ST reflector telescope. Using this eyepiece's moderately low magnification is a great way to begin exploring interesting objects in the sparkling night sky. Offering a wide 52° apparent field of view, the 25mm Plossl eyepiece yields extremely sharp images with impressively high contrast. You'll be amazed at the crisp, clear views of sights like the cratered surface of the Moon! And when pointed at larger deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula, the 5.1" aperture combined with the low power view really pulls in the faint light, revealing structure in the nebula.
When you're ready to study objects with more magnification, use the included 10mm Plossl eyepiece (which also features all-glass multi-coated optics). When inserted into the SpaceProbe 130ST reflector telescope, the 10mm Plossl provides a powerful 65x view with a 52° apparent field of view, so you can inspect interesting objects more closely. We recommend starting out with the lower-power 25mm Plossl first, then switching to the 10mm ocular to boost the power of your telescope's view.
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope comes on a sturdy and precise equatorial mount with a newly upgraded aluminum Vixen-style dovetail, dual setting circles and slow-motion hand controls. After a simple polar-alignment procedure, the EQ mount allows you to easily track celestial objects as they appear to migrate across the night sky, so you can observe them in detail. The adjustable-height tubular steel tripod is strong yet lightweight and includes an accessory tray so you can keep eyepieces, flashlights, and other accessories close by while using the reflector telescope.
The relatively compact SpaceProbe 130ST EQ weighs just 28 lbs. once assembled. It's an easy telescope to take out to your favorite stargazing spot, whether just outside the back door or in a more distant location away from streetlights and light pollution. If you're looking for a better-quality first telescope or a nicely portable telescope to complement your big Dobsonian, you'll love the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope.
- The parabolic mirror of this 5.1" aperture reflector telescope gathers an ample amount of light for great views of the planets and Moon, as well as brighter galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters
- Compact steel optical tube design for easy portability and fast f/5 focal ratio for pleasing wide-field performance makes the SpaceProbe 130ST EQ a very versatile telescope the whole family can enjoy
- Sturdy equatorial telescope mount and adjustable steel tripod legs allow manual slow-motion tracking of celestial objects as they appear to migrate across the night sky. Complete assembled weight of 28 lbs.
- Includes two 1.25" Plossl eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), EZ Finder II finder scope, collimation cap, and more!
- As a bonus, also included are the MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter. A $40+ value!
