Sky-Watcher Telescopes

Sky-Watcher is a global leader in astronomical instrumentation for the serious amateur astronomer. Are you searching for a fine instrument for astronomical pursuits? Look no further! Sky-Watcher offers the equipment you need at a value that makes sense in today’s economy.

 

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8" Dobsonian SKU: S11700
Sky-Watcher 8" DOB
Join the Ranks of Serious Observers

Corresponding to the escalating "aperture fever" that has gripped amateur astronomy for several decades, an 8" diameter is now generally regarded as the minimum entry-level aperture for serious observing. The low cost, large diameter, and fast focal ratio of the 8" Sky-Watcher Dobsonian make it an ideal dedicated telescope for wide-field, deep-space observation of faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.

Observing with the
8" Sky-Watcher Dobsonian

If you have never before observed through a high-quality, wide-field Dobsonian, like the SW 8" DOB, you are in for one of the sweetest experiences in amateur astronomy. Imagine the exhilaration of opening a clam and discovering a pearl. The sky is full of pearls, astronomical pearls. While they won't make you rich in the financial sense, for amateur astronomers at least, observing the fabled pearls of deep-space is a rich and even exhilarating pastime. A catharsis for the soul that renders the mundane insignificant, and reconnects us with the inner child who revels in awe and wonderment. A night observing with the SW 8" Dob can leave you with a lingering sense of contentment long after the evening's viewing is over. Some of amateur astronomy's most revered and enthusiastically observed extra solar-system objects are now within your reach. This instrumentation provides entry into the brotherhood of serious amateur astronomers—you have arrived!

Sky-Watcher Dobsonians Epitomize Ease-of-Use

Observing with a Dobsonian has been described akin to shooting ducks in a gallery because it is so easy to find your target. Just swing your SW DOB to the quadrant of sky to be searched, and scan the vicinity. An 8x50mm Right Angle optical viewfinder provides both magnification and light gathering to help narrow your search for those elusive fuzzies when star hopping. The standard-equipment backlash-free 2" Crayford Focuser insures ultra smooth focusing adjustments. Multi-coated, 4-element Plossl eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) provide a spacious 52 degree Apparent Field of View.

To ensure mechanical ease-of-use, SW uses a high-performance Teflon bearing system in both axes combined with tension adjustment in altitude to facilitate setting the appropriate amount of friction, assuring smooth vertical and horizontal manual movement without free-play from small bumps or gusts of wind. This also eliminates the need to have a balanced optical tube as in an equatorial mount. Sky-Watcher's Teflon bearing system is preferable to the use of ball-bearings. Ball-bearings make unintended movement of the optical tube more difficult to control. Fortunately, at low power, deep-space objects leisurely drift through the field of the SW 8" DOB, so constant mechanical adjustment of the telescope's orientation isn't needed to keep objects in the field of view

Sky-Watcher's revolutionary truss-support concept allows the optical tube's front and back cells to collapse together, aligning on the truss support rods which can then be locked down for easy and secure telescope transport. This one piece, low-hassle OTA design is mechanically simple and results in large aperture telescopes that can be reasonably handled and transported by one individual. This innovation gives Sky-Watcher users tremendous functional ease-of-transportability.

Sky-Watcher Uses Quality Components Throughout

The Sky-Watcher 8" DOB utilizes quality components throughout. Pride of workmanship manifests itself in high quality standards of optical and mechanical fabrication. The polishing process for primary and diagonal mirror yields smooth mirror surfaces ensuring good contrast, and properly corrected optics show minimum alterations to the optical wave-front.

On each primary mirror, and elliptical diagonal mirror aluminum is vacuum deposited to the front glass surface and then over coated with hard quartz (SiO4). Additional layers of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and (SiO4) are then applied. Dust covers help keep your DOB clean when not in use.

The mechanical and structural components of the OTA exhibit rigid construction and outstanding stability. The mount construction is sturdy and rigid. Mount design, while simple, facilitates smooth motions about both axes. Quality accessories enhance the observer's viewing experience.

Details

• Shipping Weight 69.00 lbs
• Optical Design Newtonian (Parabolic)
• BK7 annealed Glass
• Aperture (Diameter) 200mm
• Focal Length 1200mm: F-Ratio F/6
• Secondary Mirror Diameter 47mm
• Highest Practical Power 406x
• Faintest Stellar Magnitude 14.2
• Resolving Power .96 arc sec
• Finderscope 8X50 RA Viewfinder
• Focuser Diameter 2", 1.25" adapter
• Diagonal Internal
• Eyepiece's) 1.25" Plossl 25mm and 10mm
• Mount Type Dobsonian
• Slow-Motion Control Manual w/ Tension adjust.
• Accessory Tray Standard
• Ground Board Weight 25 Lbs
• Tube Weight 24 Lbs
• Tube Dimension (dia. x length) 32.5" to 44.5" Extended
• Base Height 31"

Price $495.00