If you're a beginner astronomer looking for a telescope to explore the night sky, the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ may be a suitable choice. In this review, we'll go through the features and benefits of this telescope to help you decide if it's the right one for you.
Optical Design
The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ features a Newtonian reflector optical design, which is a common choice for entry-level telescopes. This design uses a large concave mirror at the bottom of the telescope to reflect light and form an image. The image is then reflected to the eyepiece through a secondary mirror.
The 130EQ has a 130mm (5.1-inch) aperture, which is a decent size for a beginner telescope. The aperture determines how much light the telescope can gather, which directly affects image brightness and clarity. A larger aperture typically means better image quality, but it also means a more expensive telescope.
Mount and Tripod
The 130EQ comes with an equatorial mount, which is designed to make it easier to track objects in the night sky as they move. This type of mount requires a bit of learning and practice to use, but it's worth the effort as it makes tracking celestial objects much more accurate.
The tripod is made of lightweight aluminum and is adjustable in height. The mount head is detachable, making it easy to set up and transport the telescope.
Accessories
The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ comes with two eyepieces, a 20mm, and a 10mm. These eyepieces provide magnification of 33x and 65x, respectively. While these eyepieces are suitable for beginners, you may want to consider upgrading to higher-quality eyepieces as you gain experience.
The telescope also comes with a red dot finder scope, which helps you locate celestial objects in the sky. A red dot is projected onto a small screen, indicating where the telescope is pointing.
Overall Performance
The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ is a great entry-level telescope that offers good performance at a reasonable price. The 130mm aperture provides clear and bright images of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae.
The equatorial mount takes a bit of time to set up and learn how to use, but it's worth it in the long run as it makes tracking objects in the sky much easier. The tripod is sturdy and adjustable, making it easy to find a comfortable viewing position.
While the included eyepieces and finder scope are suitable for beginners, more advanced users may want to upgrade to higher-quality accessories to get the most out of the telescope.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Decent aperture size for a beginner telescope
- Equatorial mount makes tracking celestial objects easier
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with accessories, including eyepieces and a finder scope
Cons:
- Equatorial mount requires learning and practice to use
- Included accessories may not be of the highest quality
Conclusion
The Celestron Astromaster 130EQ is a solid entry-level telescope that offers good performance at a reasonable price. The 130mm aperture and equatorial mount make it a suitable choice for beginners looking to explore the night sky. While the included accessories are suitable for beginners, more advanced users may want to upgrade to higher-quality accessories for better performance. Overall, the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ is a great value telescope that can provide hours of enjoyment exploring the cosmos.
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