Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope, Dark Blue

Product Information

The AstroMaster 130EQ reflector telescope is a well-rounded instrument that comes equipped with Starry Night astronomy software. This feature allows users to delve into the night sky through a virtual setting, enhancing their astronomical experience and providing them with an opportunity to learn more about planets, stars, and celestial objects. Here’s a tip you’ve probably heard from experienced astronomers: one feature worth paying more for when buying a telescope is an equatorial mount. With a primary mirror diameter of 130mm and focal ratio of f/5, the Astromaster 130EQ reflector telescope delivers crisp and clear images that make it suitable for both deep-space observation and terrestrial viewing.

The 130mm refractor telescope is intuitive to use. Explore the sky with the two slow-motion control knobs that allow for fine pointing adjustments in both Right Ascension (RA) and Declinations (DEC) axes. The included tripod has an adjustable height of up to 1.3 meters and an accessory tray. Sights of fainter targets, particularly of the Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 27), are pleasing enough through the AstroMaster 130EQ, offering a clear and bright view that resembles a double-lobed shape. Globular star cluster Messier 13, also known as the Hercules Globular Cluster, is a particularly stunning sight – myriad stars with beautiful contrast and clarity is a standout moment during our observations. Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ: Verdict Initially, the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ was equipped with a parabolic mirror, known for its superior image quality. However, in more recent models, Celestron has shifted to using spherical primary mirrors. This change likely reflects a strategic decision to reduce manufacturing costs, allowing the telescope to be priced more competitively, making it an attractive option for those new to astronomy. As a reflector telescope, it requires occasional collimation (alignment of the internal mirrors) to ensure optimal viewing clarity. The telescope comes with a manual equatorial mount, simplifying the process of locating celestial objects. By using the finderscope to first locate and center an object, users can then enjoy detailed views through the main eyepiece. Is the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ a good telescope for beginners? I totally agree with the comments at the beginning of the article. I encountered all the issues mentionned.

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is a no frills, affordable option for beginners

The software provides an immersive experience that makes it possible for enthusiasts to explore the universe in detail without leaving their homes. The Starry Night astronomy software is easy to use and provides a wealth of information on various celestial objects. Users can navigate through different star systems, observe planets up close, and study nebulas in detail. Balancing the telescope with a counterweight is also crucial for optimal operation. It’s important to note that the mount may exhibit some wobbliness. To counteract this, it’s advisable not to overly extend the legs and to add weight between them to lower the center of gravity. This additional weight should be placed on the central body of the mount where the legs converge, and not on an accessory tray, which might not support the extra weight.

One feature you’ll really appreciate is the equatorial mount. More on that next. 2. Equatorial mount and tripod Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ is a reflector telescope designed for astronomy enthusiasts. It is a part of Celestron’s Astromaster line and comes with an equatorial mount. The telescope has a 130mm aperture and uses a spherical primary mirror to gather light. How does Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ perform? It takes some time to learn how to use the mount and pointer, but once you do they are really easy to operate. The Celestron AstroMasters used to come with a strangely designed, cheap, built-in, non-removable red-dot finder that had a nice switch and glass window, but suffered from alignment problems. Newer AstroMasters have a standard, run-of-the-mill red dot finder attached to them with a strange plastic jig. I find the placement a little odd, but it is actually more comfortable to reach than the standard location of finders on a lot of telescopes. Reviewing the CG-3 Equatorial Mount

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Essentially, the focal ratio is an indicator of the telescope’s “speed.” While the concept might seem complex, it can be simplified as follows: a telescope with a faster focal ratio, like F/5, captures brighter images compared to a slower one, say F/10. In practical terms, an image viewed through an F/5 telescope will be four times brighter than that seen through an F/10 telescope. This brightness advantage is particularly beneficial when observing dimmer celestial objects like nebulae and galaxies. All these features make it an ideal instrument for both novice astronomers looking for an affordable entry-level setup or experienced stargazers who want to expand their collection of telescopes. Celestron Astromaster 130EQ OTA Assembly

The CG-3 comes with flexible slow motion controls for adjustments on both axes. However, you’ll need to switch the right ascension cable from one side of the mount to the other depending on where you’re looking in the sky. The mount has no polar scope, but for a scope meant for visual use and most simple astrophotography, this isn’t really an issue. The mount does have slow-motion altitude and azimuth adjustments for precise polar alignment. The bulk of the AstroMaster 130 scopes I’ve seen have had acceptable primary mirrors–usually not quite parabolic but not quite spherical either–but a few have had spherical primaries that made for mushy views. I’ve also seen a few with great optics. The eyepieces are average and are to be expected at this price point. The 20mm eyepiece did seem to create internal reflections, marring the narrow true field of view of just 0.9 degrees (the Full Moon’s angular diameter is just 0.5 degrees, for comparison). The 10mm eyepiece is perhaps the best of the two, but the eye relief on both is quite poor - you have to push your eyes right up into the eyepiece cup to see anything, making for uncomfortable viewing, and almost impossible viewing for spectacle wearers. Read on for my full review. Celestron Astromaster 130EQ review What are you buying? 1. Beginner 130mm reflector telescope As some users have noted, you may need to adjust some nuts on the pointer to get it to work properly.Not compatible with #93648 Off-Axis Guider, not compatible with #93519 2" Mirror Diagonal (discontinued) The Zhumell Z130, like the Heritage, offers superior accessories, optics, and a simpler mount than the 130EQ but with a closed tube design. The focal ratio of Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ is f/5, which means it has a relatively wide field of view and is suitable for observing large celestial objects like galaxies and nebulae. How do I align Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ? If you are looking for a telescope mostly to observe Jupiter, Saturn and the moon, then the 130EQ is a great choice. The Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ is a telescope that has been designed for beginners who want to explore the wonders of the night sky. With its affordable price point and easy-to-use features, this telescope has become a popular choice among amateur astronomers.