About this product
The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope can open up the night sky for you and your entire family. With excellent light grasp, point-and-view ease of use, convenient portability, and a low price that can't be beat, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian reflector should be on the top of any beginner's telescope wish-list.
Built around a big, 150mm diameter parabolic primary mirror, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian collects nearly 80% more light than a 4.5" reflector telescope, rendering brighter views of the cosmos with greater detail noticeable when viewing deep-sky objects such as open and globular star clusters, nebulas, and brighter distant galaxies. With a long focal length of 1200mm and resultant focal ratio of f/8, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian performs especially well at planetary and lunar observation. Brighter planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars show an impressive amount of detail when viewed through the XT6 Classic. Jupiter's four brightest moons are easily visible surrounding the Jovian giant, and its cloud band "stripes" display nicely. If timing and good seeing conditions permit, you can even glimpse Jupiter's Great Red Spot (which has become more of a beige color in recent years) through the XT6 Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope. Saturn's stunning rings are quite a sight when looking through the SkyQuest XT6 Classic, with clear evenings providing views of the Cassini division between the rings, and even of Saturn's gigantic moon, Titan. When Mars cooperates with a clear atmosphere free of dust-storms, the XT6 Classic Dobsonian and its winning combination of aperture and focal length will yield great views of Martian surface markings and polar icecaps.
The XT6 Classic Dobsonian's 150mm-diameter primary mirror is center-marked to make collimation adjustments easy and precise, and a convenient quick-collimation cap is included. The 45"-long enameled-steel XT6 reflector optical tube glides with silky smoothness on the cabinet-quality Dobsonian wood base equipped with non-stick PTFE/Nylon altitude and azimuth pads. You just point the Dobsonian telescope and view! Orion-engineered CorrecTension springs keep the tube balanced to perfection for smooth, precise position adjustments.
The Orion CorrecTension springs make setup easy and keep the telescope balanced.
The 6" diameter, 45.5" long reflector telescope tube attaches securely to the Dobsonian base by virtue of Orion's CorrecTension Friction Optimization system, which utilizes heavy-duty springs to both securely couple the tube to the base, and keep the telescope in constant balance to avoid drifting during observations. Even with heavier eyepieces and accessories installed, the XT6 Dobsonian telescope optical tube will remain balanced throughout your viewing sessions.
Dial-in celestial details with the smooth adjusting 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser.
The SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope features a 1.25" PTFE-lined rack-and-pinion focuser built to accept any 1.25" Orion eyepiece or accessory. The smooth focus control makes it easy to dial-in fine details when observing objects in the night sky, whether you're looking at a rocky lunar crater or a wispy nebula. The focuser features two knurled thumbscrews to secure inserted 1.25" eyepieces and accessories in-place.
Explore the night sky with the included 25mm Sirius Plossl Eyepiece.
The included 1.25" Orion 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece provides a 48-power view when used with the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope. Offering a wide 52ø apparent field of view, the 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece yields extremely sharp images of impressively high contrast. You can expand your magnification options by purchasing additional 1.25" eyepieces of different focal lengths. (Additional eyepieces sold separately.)
The included Orion EZ Finder II red-dot sight makes aiming the telescope nice and easy.
Following a simple alignment procedure, you can use the EZ Finder II sight to accurately aim the SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope at objects in the sky like the Moon and bright planets. Once aligned with the telescope, just turn on the EZ Finder II and peer through the sight's small circular viewing window so you see the red dot, and move the telescope until the red dot is on the object you want to see. Look in the telescope eyepiece, and the object will be there!
Learn about the night sky with the included Starry Night Special Edition software
Explore starry skies anytime - even when it's cloudy! The SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope includes a FREE Special Edition of Starry Night astronomy software. With realistic sky simulations and a many useful features including telescope control, the user-friendly Starry Night Special Edition software will help you plan your observations and understand what you see. Requires PC running Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10. Requires Macintosh running OS X 10.4 or higher.
The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian also includes a quick collimation cap for easy mirror alignment, and dust caps for the reflector telescope tube and focuser.
The big XT6 Classic is surprisingly easy to transport thanks to its uncomplicated design, even though many people refer to Dobsonian telescopes as "cannons" due to their relatively large size. The XT6 consists of two main components: the 6" reflector telescope optical tube and the stable Dobsonian base. Simply place the 13.5 lb. wooden base down where you want to observe, and then place the 20.9 lb. reflector optical tube assembly onto the base and secure in-place with the CorrecTension springs on both side of the telescope tube. That's it! Alternatively, the XT6 can be carried as one, 34.4 lb. unit. With the tube securely attached to the base with the CorrecTension springs, simply lift the assembled XT6 Classic carefully using the base handle.
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).
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Best for viewing
Brighter deep sky
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Best for imaging
Lunar & planetary
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Low thermal expansion borosilicate glass
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Eyepieces
Sirius Plossl 25.0mm (1.25")
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Magnification with included eyepieces
48x
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Highest theoretical magnification
300x
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Finder scope
EZ Finder II
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Focuser
1.25" Rack-and-pinion
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Secondary mirror obstruction
34mm
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Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
23%
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Secondary mirror obstruction by area
5%
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Mirror coatings/over-coatings
Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
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Bearing material
PTFE and UHMW bearings
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Length of optical tube
45.5 in.
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Weight, optical tube
13.5 lbs.
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Weight, mount/tripod
20.9 lbs.
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Weight, fully assembled
34.4 lbs.
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Other features
CorrecTension system
*Special Order item, please contact us for delivery time*
Special order. Usually ships in 1-3 weeks.
An order for this can be placed with our supplier, and usually ships within the specified timeframe.
