SkyWatcher 120ED refractor telescope with EQ6-R Pro GoTo mount
The apochromatic ED refractor tubes of the BLACK DIAMOND series from SKYWATCHER represent a range of refracting astronomical telescopes with a fairly well-corrected field and highly corrected chromatic aberration. Their low dispersion ED optics allow the light to refract through the lens so that the light beam does not scatter much (does not open up) and therefore the image definition is greatly increased. SKYWATCHER BLACK DIAMOND refractors are constructed with a two-element air-spaced objective lens. The second objective element is made of the high-quality fluorized glass FPL-53 (O'HARA version).
The ED optics of the BLACK DIAMOND refractor telescopes are made of SCHOTT glass. This combines the efforts of two market leaders, Synta as a manufacturer of astronomical telescopes and SCHOTT as the world's leading manufacturer of the highest quality optical glass.
Observing with the Black Diamond ED120
Lucky is the amateur astronomer who is observing a clear night of clear skies and atmospheric stability with a SKYWATCHER Black Diamond ED 120mm.
If you aim at the Moon when it is waxing, and focus on the Apennine region for maximum focus, magnificent details of the surrounding peaks, canyons and countless small craters will be revealed. We could say that this is observing the Moon in HD. The gas giant Jupiter shows its equatorial bands in high definition revealing internal and inter-band boundary details. The large red spot is clearly visible in full contrast to the rest of the Jovian landscape. In the case of deep sky nebulae, the SKYWATCHER BLACK DIAMOND ED 120 allows enhanced definition to be seen in the gaseous extensions of the outermost parts. Globular clusters are presented with all their stars resolved as perfect point stars. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey you can take with the SKYWATCHER BLACK DIAMOND ED120.
High Transmission Metallic Coated Lenses
All lenses that are exposed to the open air are coated with an anti-reflective coating to ensure maximum light transmission, achieving a transmission factor of 99.5%. SKYWATCHER's proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHC) is the most refined anti-reflective coating in its class.
Optical system with baffles
The objective lens cell is designed to reject residual light that is not in focus. The tube itself is designed with internal baffles to ensure maximum contrast by eliminating unwanted light. The inside of the tube is also finished in matte black to prevent internal reflections from reaching the focal plane.
2" Precision Crayford Focuser
Focusing can be achieved thanks to the fine, smooth mechanical, backlash-free gearing of the Crayford 2" focuser that is integrated as standard. This precision 2" Crayford is based on a rack and pinion assembly system.
Tube material of construction
The optical tube is manufactured from cast aluminum, painted white or black, for the front and rear cells. The tube itself, the cylindrical part is plated in steel with a glossy black finish with gold highlights.
EQ6-R MOUNT
Without a doubt, the SkyWatcher EQ6-R (GOTO) equatorial mountis the jewel in SkyWatcher's crown. With unmatched reliability and robustness, the EQ6-R equatorial mount is the guarantee to start doing deep sky photography with guarantees and at the most economical price possible .The SKYWATCHER mount provides the precision and stability needed to start making observations in a more serious way .SKYWATCHERtelescopes supplied with a German equatorial mount with integrated SynScan system are high quality observing platforms with well thought-out mechanics and electronics .
The main features of the GOTOsystems are summarized below:
PC operation:
SKYWATCHERSynScan mounts come standard with the revolutionary SynScan Computer Controller. Locating an astronomical object has never been easier and more fun. The telescope responds immediately to keystrokes on the control knob, executing the indicated operations. The SynScan series telescopes can also be remotely controlled from a PC using any Planetary software (Cartes du Ciel, The Sky, etc) and via RS-232 connection to the control knob. There is even the possibility to optionally purchase a GPS to facilitate the most accurate entry of time, date and location. The SynScan firmware can be upgraded via internet with a specific and free software.
Motors, crowns and bearings:
The SKYWATCHERmounts of the SynScan series use DC stepper motors with high torque capacity and microstepping control technology for maximum accuracy. Bronze crown and worm gear system for precision mechanical incremental movement to minimize gear backlash.
Tracking speeds and modes:
The versatility of the SynScan system allows various search and guidance speeds to be selected. The tracking modes are: Lunar, Solar and Sidereal. The mount is compatible with use in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Database:
The SynScan computer includes a database of over 40,000 objects in memory. The library includes objects for advanced studies, following the existing catalog system: NGC, IC, Caldwell, Messier and other lists plus 25 user-definable objects (comets, asteroids, etc).
Astrophotography:
Astrophotography enthusiasts will greatly appreciate the presence of the AUTO-GUIDER port that allows autoguider functions to be performed via a PC. The SynScan firmware includes the SynScangramming algorithm for periodic error correction (this error is natural and inherent to all corona-bisenfin systems). In addition, this algorithm can be complemented with the Backlash compensation function (technical term to describe gear backlash) for both AR and DEC. In this way it is possible to have uniform GOTO's and tracking.
Technical Specifications mount:
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- Equipment name: EQ6-R PRO Synscan ™
- Mount type: German equatorial
- Maximum load (without counterweights): 20 kg (for astrophotography)
- Latitude adjustment range: 5º to 65º
- Azimuth adjustment range: approximately ± 9º
- Weight of the mount (without tripod): 17.3 kg
- Counterweights supplied: 2 x 5kg
- Complete weight: 34.8 kg
- Tripod supplied: 2 inch stainless steel legs, 7.5 kg weight
- Counterweight rod: diameter 18mm, length 240mm + 180mm
- Power supply: DC11 ~ 16V 4A
- Motors: 1.8th hybrid stepper motors
- Transmission: 180:1
- Fine transmission: + 48:12
- Timing belt drive: + 64 microsteps
- 1.8º stepper motor drive
- Gear Ratio: 720
- Resolution: 9216000 Counts/Revolution, approx. 0.14 arc seconds
- Maximum slew rate: 4.2 degrees/second
- Tracking speed: sidereal, solar, lunar
- Tracking mode: equatorial
- Auto-guiding speed: 0.125X, 0.25X, 0.5X, 0.75X, 1X
- PEC: 100 Permanent PEC Segments (PPEC)
- Manual controller: SynScan ™
- Command language configurable to different languages
- Database: + 42000 Objects
- Celestial Objects Catalog: Messier, NGC, IC, SAO, Caldwell, Double Stars, Variable Stars, Major Stars, Planets
- Pointing accuracy: up to 5 arcminutes (RMS)
- Integrated SNAP camera control port
- Dual coupling head for 45 mm / 75 mm dovetails
- Illuminated polar finder
Tube Technical Specifications:
- Optical Design: ED APO Refractor
- Lens Type: FPL-53 O'HARA
- Diameter: 120mm
- Focal Length: 900mm
- Focal Ratio: F/7.5
- Maximum useful magnification: 240x
- Magnitude limit: 12.3
- Resolution power: 0.9"
- Finder: 8X50 right angle or 9x50 (subject to availability)
- Focusing diameter: 2"
- Diagonal prism: 2" 90º Dielectric with 1.25" adapter
- Eyepiece: 28mm 2"
- Piggyback mount: Yes
- Tube weight: 5Kgs
- Tube dimensions (diameter x length): 13cm x 92cm
- Carrying case weight: 12.2kg
- Aluminum Carrying Case
SkyWatcher 120ED Refractor Telescope with EQ6-R Pro GoTo Mount
