Skywatcher Skymax-180 PRO on HEQ5 SynScan GoTo Maksutov

Skywatcher Skymax-180 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope - optical tube assembly

The Black Line Maksutov 180/2700 mm is the biggest model of the Skywatcher Maksutov range. High resolution, no spikes - with this system, the manufacturer has designed a specialist for lunar/planetary observation and photography, but also for fainter deep-sky objects.

With its focal length of 2700 mm, this system is ideal for lunar and planetary observation. Even eyepieces with longer focal lengths (and therefore often more comfortable viewing position) lead to relatively high magnification.

A wider field with 2"

Especially for deep-sky observation, 2" eyepieces are very useful, especially with this focal length. With a TSWA38, you have a wider field of approximately 1°, making this telescope also useful for nebulae and galaxies. This telescopes comes with a 2" eyepiece receptacle.

Photography

The BKM 180 is the right instrument for the enthusiastic planetary photographer. Together with our web cam and a 2.5x Barlow lens, this telescope is ideal for lunar and planetary imaging, only limited by physical laws.

The GoTo mount HEQ5 SkyScan Pro:

This German equatorial GoTo mount offers many comfortable features. As the mount has a payload of far more than 10 kg, it has a lot of reserve capacity with the Maksutov.

A solid and height-adjustable steel-tube field tripod is included.

precise tracking for astro photography

Database with ca. 13000 objects for push-button GoTo

custom objects can be added

Powerful & low noise stepper motors

Link to more information about the H-EQ5 mount

Useful information by Teleskop-Service: The Maksutov-Cassegrain System

A Maksutov-Cassegrain combines compact design with an image quality that´s close to a classical refractor. Compared with fast refractors of the same aperture, the quality is even better because a Maksutov-Cassegrain has no disturbing false colour.

The Maksutov-Cassegrain is also an interesting alternative for astronomers who pay pay attention on high-contrast imaging but need a compact system.




On the other hand, a Maksutov-Cassegrain is not a very "fast" system. Compared with the aperture, the focal length is relatively long. This is ideal for lunar and planetary observation, but wide field objects like the Pleiades or the Andromeda Galaxy cannot be viewed in their full dimension.

The optical design (see picture above):
Light passes through the meniscus corrector, is reflected by the spherical main mirror and is then directed by the spherical secondary mirror to the focal plane. The abberations of the spherical main mirror are corrected by the Maksutov lens. This causes a good quality either on the optical axis and also off-axis. A further advantage: The Maksutov corrector keeps the OTA closed and makes it less sensitive against tube seeing caused by temperature differences.

The secondary mirror transforms the main mirror´s focal ratio to the full value of f/10 to f/15 (depending on the individual design).

Focusing:
The image is not focused by an external drawtube but by moving the main mirror by a fine thread. This kind of focusing hat the advantage of a very wide focus range - nearly any accessories can be mounted.

Safety informations: PDF Download