With the largest aperture in the series, the Sky-Watcher 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is a powerful astronomical tool that remains manageable and portable. The Maksutov design exchanges the conventional front corrector plate of a Schmidt with a convex meniscus lens, resulting in a smaller secondary mirror that limits obstruction and increases contrast, while eliminating the need for periodic collimation. This modified optical path results in a slower focal ratio and narrower field of view versus a similar Schmidt, but the optical benefits, when coupled with the larger aperture and fully multi-coated optics, make this an ideal scope for making detailed solar, lunar, and planetary observations, while being able to resolve deep-sky objects like stars, clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.

The scope is outfitted with a large 2" visual back. To get users started, Sky-Watcher includes a 28mm long eye relief eyepiece that produces 96x magnification and a 90° star diagonal for viewing with the optical tube assembly (OTA) pointed at or near the celestial zenith. The OTA is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who have a reliable support system or want to use it as part of a dual-OTA setup for star parties or observation/imaging rigs. It is outfitted with a Vixen-style dovetail plate for use with compatible mounts. This OTA's compact form factor belies its observation power and resolution and is ideally suited as a grab-and-go option for quick observation sessions or heading out to remote locations.

180mm Aperture Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA    2700mm Focal Length, f/15 Focal Ratio    Limited-Diffraction Optical System    Anti-Reflection Fully Multi-Coated Glass    Internal Primary Mirror Focusing System    28mm Long Eye Relief 2" Eyepiece    2" 90° Star Diagonal    8x50 Straight-Viewing Finderscope    Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate

• 180mm aperture
• f/15 focal ratio
• 2700mm focal length
• Front convex meniscus lens corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations as well as comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view
• Smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains reduces obstructions and increases contrast
• Fully multi-coated optics maximize light transmission to improve brightness, color rendition, sharpness, and contrast
• Resolution: 0.64 arcsec
• Internal primary mirror focus
• 2"-diameter visual back accepts larger eyepieces and accessories

• Requires mount and tripod for proper use
• Vixen-style dovetail plate
• Weight: 19 pounds including OTA, dovetail plate, finder, diagonal, and eyepiece

Eyepiece:

• 2" barrel diameter
• Accepts most 2" astronomical filters
• 28mm eyepiece yields 96x power
• Comfortable long eye relief

Diagonal:

• 2" snout and eyepiece holder
• 90° angle places head in a comfortable viewing position
• Star configuration corrects image horizontally for terrestrial use

Finderscope:

• Relatively low 8x magnification provides a wide field of view for easier alignment and faster star-hopping navigation
• 50mm aperture helps resolve dimmer objects that dot finders cannot

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. can I use a 3x barlow lens with this?

A: Yes you can use a 3x Barlow with the Sky-Watcher 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope.

Q: 2. can you mount a Sony A6600 to the telescope and if so what parts do i need. also can you mount a Samsung Note 8? Thanks

A: Hello, The smartphone, can connect with the : https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1201285-REG/tele_vue_sfa_0001_fonemate_universal_smartphone_adapter.html You A6600 can connect to the scope with two T mpiunt parts: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202135-REG/Celestron_93625_SLR_35mm_OR_Digital.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839140-REG/vello_la_nex_t_lens_mount_adapter.html

Q: 3. What adapters would I need to use to fit my MFT camera on this?

A: To mount any interchangeable lens camera including a MFT model to the Sky-Watcher 8" f/3.9 Quattro Imaging Newtonian Telescope, you’ll need a camera adapter B&H # CETA1.25 plus a second adapter specific to your camera’s lens mount. For MFT you’ll need: B&H # VELAMFTT

Q: 4. Do I need to polar align this?

A: No it is not necessary to polar align. However, it is a very useful tool.

Q: 5. Can I mount this OTA on a Celestron VX mount?

A: Yes this OTA with Dovetail Style Mount will fit on the Celestron Advanced VX GoTo German Equatorial Mount.

Q: 6. What mounts are you using?

A: The Sky-Watcher 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope (OTA Only) does not come with a mount but this Skywatcher GTI mount is recommended and sold in a kit with the telescope. Please take a look at the following link: https://bhpho.to/3B4y5I6

Q: 7. Does it come with the 12VDC plug adapter? If not will this work - Input: 120/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Output: 12 VDC, 2A 2.1mm Coax plug

A: The Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 AZ-GTi 127mm f/12 GoTo Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope BH #SKS21130 • MFR #S21130 does no come with any 12VDC plug adapter. According to the instructions Do not use an unregulated AC-to-DC adapter. When choosing an AC adapter, a switching power supply with 12V output voltage and minimum 750mA output current is recommended

Q: 8. What is the weight of just the scope?

A: The weight of the OTA is about 4 lbs.

Q: 9. Does the dove tail bar have a hole for a standard 1/4 inch mounting post?

A: There are two 1/4"-20 holes in the Vixen V-mount.

Q: 10. Do you sell a focal reducer that would be suitable for this telescope, the 7 inch Maksutov f/15, or do you know of one?

A: The Celestron f/6.3 Reducer/Corrector will be compatible with this scope. Website link: http://bhpho.to/1JT4a4N