Telescope Nerd ยป Skywatcher 130/900

Skywatcher 130/900

(8 customer reviews)

From: $450.00 (incl. VAT plus shipping costs)

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The Skywatcher 130/900 is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 130mm aperture and 900mm focal length. It features a spherical primary mirror and flat secondary mirror for producing sharp, high-contrast images of celestial objects. Amateur astronomers choose this telescope for its low cost, good optical quality, and ability to observe the Moon, planets, nebulae, and galaxies in clear detail.

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Product Description

The Skywatcher 130/900 telescope is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 130mm aperture and 900mm focal length. Newtonian telescopes use a parabolic mirror to focus light and form images. Skywatcher 130/900 features a spherical primary mirror and a flat secondary mirror, aligned to produce sharp images. Amateur astronomers choose this telescope for its low cost, good optical quality, and ability to produce high-contrast images of celestial objects. The large 130mm aperture gathers more light than smaller telescopes, allowing observers to see fainter objects and more detail in brighter objects.

Observers use the Skywatcher 130/900 to view the Moon and planets in clear detail. The telescope enables deep sky observation of nebulae and galaxies. Its 900mm focal length balances magnification and image stability for various celestial objects. The Newtonian design produces sharp images of observed targets.

Beginners find the Skywatcher 130/900 an excellent choice for starting astronomy. Experienced astronomers use it for portable and casual observing. The telescope offers reliability and ease of use while providing a balance between aperture and portability. Night sky explorers appreciate its versatility and capability in observing various celestial objects.

Should you buy Skywatcher 130/900 as your first telescope?

The Skywatcher 130/900 is an excellent choice for beginners as their first telescope. It offers numerous telescope benefits for novice astronomers at a low price of around $300. The 130mm aperture allows observation of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. The equatorial mount provides stability key for clear observations and smooth tracking of celestial objects. The telescope’s portability makes it an ideal travel telescope, weighing only 27 pounds and requiring minimal storage space. Users can show craters on the Moon with clarity and find objects like nebulae and galaxies. The Skywatcher 130/900 serves as a reliable starter instrument, encouraging new enthusiasts to try observing the night sky.

Is Skywatcher 130mm Reflector Telescope easy to use?

The Skywatcher 130mm Reflector Telescope is easy to use for beginners and intermediate astronomers. Its intuitive design allows users to quickly understand and navigate its features. The telescope has a gentle learning curve, enabling users to become comfortable with its operation swiftly. It accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces for easy magnification changes. The telescope weighs 12.5 kg, making it manageable for solo transport and setup. Its 130mm aperture and 900mm focal length provide efficient viewing of wide-field objects, the moon, and planets. The telescope is not suited for higher powers, with a maximum useful magnification of 260x. The Skywatcher 130mm Reflector Telescope is a best-selling entry-level instrument, offering great value and allowing beginners to start exploring the night sky quickly.

Should you buy Skywatcher 130mm EQ2 Reflector Telescope for kids?

The Skywatcher 130mm EQ2 Reflector Telescope is an excellent choice for kids interested in astronomy. The telescope suits beginners and provides good views of celestial objects with its large 130mm aperture. Manufacturers design the telescope as ideal for children, allowing young stargazers to explore the night sky and learn about astronomy. The included equatorial mount enables smooth tracking of celestial objects, enhancing the viewing experience. The telescope offers great performance at a competitive price, making it an affordable option for families. Astronomers consider it an excellent starter instrument, capable of showing detail in celestial objects and achieving 90x magnification with the included 10mm eyepiece. The telescope serves as a versatile alternative to tabletop scopes, offering more power and functionality for young astronomers.

What can you see with Skywatcher 130/900 EQ2 Reflector Telescope?

The features you can see with Skywatcher 130/900 Eq2 Reflector Telescope are listed below.

  • Moon’s craters
  • Moon’s mountains
  • Moon’s maria
  • Venus’ phases
  • Mars’ polar ice caps
  • Jupiter’s cloud bands
  • Jupiter’s moons
  • Saturn’s rings
  • Saturn’s moons
  • Orion Nebula (M42)
  • Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
  • Pleiades (M45)
  • Double Cluster in Perseus
  • Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
  • Sombrero Galaxy (M104)
  • Bode’s Galaxy (M81)
  • Lagoon Nebula (M8)
  • M13 in Hercules
  • Planetary nebulae
  • Supernova remnants

Should you buy Skywatcher 130/900 Newtonian Reflector Telescope to observe planets?

Skywatcher 130/900 Newtonian Reflector Telescope offers good planetary observation capabilities. 130mm aperture provides decent light-gathering for planets. Newtonian reflector design delivers quality optics at low cost. Telescope produces clear images of brighter objects like moon and planets. Beginners gain plenty of opportunities for learning and exploring the night sky. However, 900mm focal length is not ideal for detailed planetary images.

Should you buy Skywatcher 130mm Reflector Telescope to observe galaxies?

The Skywatcher 130mm Reflector Telescope with 900mm focal length is suitable for observing bright galaxies but has limitations for serious galaxy enthusiasts. Its 130mm aperture enables viewing of nebulae and some galaxies like Andromeda and Whirlpool with reasonable detail. The 900mm focal length is ideal for observing planets and the Moon, not galaxies which require a wider field of view. The mount is weak for tracking faint or distant galaxies. Larger aperture reflectors are better suited for deep-space observations, allowing more light collection and clearer views of distant objects. The telescope provides a good introduction to galaxy observation for budget-conscious beginners, but extremely faint or distant galaxies will be challenging to detect.

Should you buy Skywatcher 130mm F/900 Reflector Telescope for astrophotography?

The Skywatcher 130Mm F/900 Reflector Telescope is not recommended for astrophotography. The equatorial mount is designed only for visual observations and ruins the telescope’s potential for imaging. The 130mm aperture with a spherical mirror is suboptimal for astrophotography. A parabolic mirror, like in the 130/650 model, would be a better choice. The focuser is barely adequate for precise focusing needed in astrophotography. Astrophotographers should consider options with larger aperture, parabolic mirror, and more robust mount. A 114mm Newtonian reflector with 650mm focal length would be more suitable for imaging purposes. The Skywatcher 130Mm F/900 remains a good starter instrument for visual observations due to its inexpensive, reliable, and portable nature.

Is Skywatcher 130/900 Reflector Telescope With Equatorial Mount portable?

The Skywatcher 130/900 Reflector Telescope With Equatorial Mount offers moderate portability. The telescope itself weighs 12.5 kg, while the equatorial mount adds another 10-12 kg, resulting in a total system weight of 22.5-24.5 kg. The telescope measures 154 x 43 x 25 cm, and the mount stands 137 cm tall. Moving the telescope requires effort due to its weight and size. Transporting the system demands careful consideration of both components. Carrying the telescope and mount over longer distances can be challenging. We recommend using a sturdy tripod bag or case for protection and easier transportation. Proper balancing and secure attachment of the mount to the tripod are crucial for safe transport.

Specifications

Telescope type

Newtonian Reflector

Optics structure

Single-fork arm

Optical design

Newtonian

Optics material

Glass

Aperture size

130 mm

Focal length

900 mm

Limiting stellar magnitude

13.1

Focal ratio

f/6.9

Aperture ratio

1:6.9

Resolution limit

0.89 arcseconds

Resolving capacity

114x

Light gathering capacity

345x

Lowest useful magnification

26x

Maximum useful magnification

260x

Tube material

Steel

Tube diameter

154 mm

Type of focuser

Rack-and-pinion focuser

Eyepiece size

1.25 inches

Magnification of eyepiece

10 mm

Mount type

Equatorial

Mount structure

Steel

GoTo controls

No

Motors

No

Type of electronics

None

Batteries

None

Power supply

None

WiFi

No

GPS

No

Includes hand controller

No

Tripod height

137 cm

Tripod leg diameter

50 mm

Tripod material

Steel

Finderscope

6×30

Barlow lens

No

Size dimensions

154 x 43 x 25 cm

Weight

12.5 kg

Portability

Moderate

Ease of use

Easy

Assembly

Required

Release date

2008

Brand

Skywatcher

Telescope series

Skywatcher EvoStar

Manufacturer

Skywatcher

Country made in

China

8 reviews for Skywatcher 130/900

  1. Ryan Mclaughlin DDS

    Newtonian Reflector Telescope 130/900 offers impressive light-gathering capability with its 130mm aperture. Views of the moon and planets show plenty of detail. Deep space objects like nebulae and star clusters are observable with good results.

  2. Megan

    The Skywatcher 130mm reflector telescope is a big step up from my previous smaller scope. Skywatcher 130/900 reflector telescope produces sharper, more detailed images of celestial bodies. Observing stars and planets silently has been a joy. Moon and planets appear crisp and clear. Smaller, detailed objects are easily visible. The Android app is a generous addition, packed with helpful tools for sky navigation.

  3. Felicia Carter

    Used it for a few nights and observed the moon and planets with great detail. The spherical mirror is very smooth, providing decent image quality. Views were always sharp and clear. Particularly impressed by its ability to resolve fine details on the moon’s surface. Initially concerned about the mount, but it’s actually very sturdy and armed with smooth altazimuth movement. Easy to maneuver and track objects. Definitely worth the cost. Doesn’t necessarily come with many accessories, but the included ones are very useful. 10mm and 20mm eyepieces are perfect for getting started, and the moon filter is a great addition. Consider it one of the best telescopes in its class.

  4. John Mitchell

    Its 900mm focal length is perfect for deep-sky objects, while the 130mm aperture lets in plenty of light.

  5. Helene

    Set it up in my den and was amazed by the image clarity. Observed the moon in stunning detail after just a few minutes of tweaking. The parabolic mirror is a game-changer, completely eliminating spherical aberration I’ve seen in other scopes. Lightweight design makes it easy to move around. Wish the tripod was sturdier. Manual could be more comprehensive – had to research online for proper mirror alignment. Limited geographic viewing opportunities in my area, but this scope opened up a whole new world. Easily observe planets, nebulae, and deep-space objects.

  6. Oscar

    Skywatcher 130/900 Newtonian Reflector Telescope’s lightweight design makes it easy to transport and set up. The 900mm focal length is perfect for observing deep-sky objects. I’ve seen amazing views of nebulae and star clusters. The whopping 130mm aperture is a major selling point. Observing severe weather patterns on Jupiter was a breeze. Subtle details on the moon’s surface were clearly visible.

  7. lfrench

    Skywatcher 130mm F/900 Reflector Telescope has been a game-changer for my stargazing experiences. The Skywatcher 130/900 Reflector Telescope EQ2 is versatile for handling various celestial objects. Setup is easy almost anywhere – backyard or camping trips. Light weight makes transport and setup easier. Amazing views of the night sky are obtainable with high-quality images.

  8. danielle20

    Setup is a breeze with clear instructions. Locating objects in the night sky is easier compared to my old telescope. The 130mm aperture lets in plenty of light. Nebulae and deep-space objects appear with decent clarity. Using it with my Android tablet has been seamless. Azimuthal adjustment is smooth, making object tracking a cinch. Cold nights can be tricky, requiring more frequent focus adjustments.

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