High-Quality Light Buckets with Old School Charm Featuring large apertures and easy functionality, Sky-Watcher’s Traditional Dobsonian telescope makes the perfect beginner scope. Developed in the 1970s, the Dobsonian-style telescope is an inexpensive solution for bright, detailed visual observing using a simple design. The name ‘Dobsonian’ comes from the telescope’s inventor, John Dobson, a Vedantan monk and sidewalk astronomer who dedicated his life to astronomy outreach. Dobson was notorious for constructing large aperture reflecting telescopes capable of deep sky viewing, using low cost materials. These were often made with found materials, heavy cardboard tubes, recycled porthole glass and plywood mounts. Dobson encouraged other astronomers to assemble their own telescopes and taught workshops on telescope making. Sky-Watcher carries on the legacy Dobson left behind with our Traditional Dobsonian telescope. Often referred to as ‘light buckets’, Dobsonians provide users with the highest possible aperture for their money when compared to telescopes of a similar size, such as Schmidt-Cassegrains or refractors. Dobsonians use a simple, yet effective design, optimized for visual observation of faint objects, such as nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. At Sky-Watcher, we stay true to the traditional John Dobson design, using just two mirrors, a metal tube and a simple rocker box. Although we love computerized telescopes, using a star chart to find objects by hand can be far more fulfilling and will improve your knowledge of the night sky. Unplug your electronic devices, step outside and become immersed in the wonders of the universe. Not your Father’s Dobsonian Don’t let this simple design fool you! Dobsonian-style telescopes utilize their large aperture to give users bright, vivid detail. Both primary and secondary mirrors deliver 94% reflectivity, using borosilicate mirrors coated with quartz, titanium and silicon dioxide. With a finely-crafted parabolic primary mirror and coatings this bright, you’ll be viewing just as John Dobson intended. Sky-Watcher Innovation Unlike other models on the market, Sky-Watcher Dobsonians feature a patented Tension Control Handle which allow for easy tension adjustment, enabling the telescope to move freely around the sky. The Tension Control Handle also provides stability when using large eyepieces. Steel ball bearings provide smooth movement even when the handle is tightened. The simple rocker box mount with azimuth Teflonbearings is easy and straightforward enough for any beginner. The use of Teflonensures smooth movement, yet creates enough friction to prevent any unintentional movement of the telescope. Accessories and Other Goodies While most telescopes limit the astronomer to 1.25” eyepieces, Sky-Watcher provides users with a beefy 2-inch Crayford-style focuser. Using the supplied 1.25 inch adapter you can take advantage of virtually any eyepiece on the market. Also included is a 9x50 finderscope and two eyepeieces (10mm & 25mm), perfect for the beginning astronomer.