Sky-Watcher BKP 305/1500 OTAW Dual Speed tube (SW-1007)

The largest Newtonian telescope offered by Sky-Watcher for equatorial mounts features a 300 mm (12-inch) parabolic mirror and a focal length of 1500 mm. This model comes with a precise 2-inch Crayford focuser with micro-adjustments, including a 1.25-inch adapter, allowing compatibility with nearly all eyepieces on the market. Additionally, the focuser includes a T-2 thread, enabling DSLR cameras to be attached with appropriate adapters.

Optical System

This Newtonian reflector telescope is ideal for observing nebulae due to its high light-gathering capability. It also performs exceptionally well for lunar and planetary observations. The 305 mm parabolic mirror is the telescope's standout feature, gathering approximately 1340 times more light than the human eye in darkness. This enables the observation of celestial objects with magnitudes exceeding 14. The large mirror also provides high optical resolution, allowing stars separated by more than 0.5 arcseconds to be distinguished.

Mount Recommendations

The telescope is sold without a mount. For optimal performance, pairing it with the EQ8 equatorial mount is recommended.

Focuser and Accessories

Equipped with a precise 2-inch Crayford focuser with micro-adjustments, the telescope supports both 2-inch and 1.25-inch eyepieces. A 2-inch eyepiece is included in the set, along with other essential accessories.

Astronomical Observations

• Solar System: View lunar surface details larger than 1 km, sunspots and their structure, all planets of the Solar System, Mercury and Venus phases, Mars' disk, Jupiter's equatorial bands and Galilean moons, Saturn's rings and several of its moons, Uranus and Neptune as star-like points, asteroid motion against the stars, and bright comets.
• Stars: Observe nearly 4 million stars across the sky, down to a magnitude of 14, including double and multiple stars with separations greater than 0.5 arcseconds, and the colors of the brightest stars.
• Nebulae and Star Clusters: All Messier catalog objects, hundreds of globular clusters (often resolved into individual stars), hundreds of open clusters, dozens of nebulae with visible details, and thousands of galaxies, including structural features.

Ground-Based Observations

Although primarily designed for astronomical use, the telescope’s optical system can also be used for terrestrial observations with the appropriate setup, offering detailed views over long distances.

Included Equipment

• Losmandy dovetail (40 cm)
• Tube rings
• 2-inch eyepiece (28 mm)
• Adapter for 1.25-inch eyepieces
• 9x50 finder scope
• Crayford focuser with micro-adjustments

Specifications

• Catalog Number: SW-1007
• Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
• Mount Type: None (OTA only)
• Aperture: 305 mm
• Focal Length: 1500 mm
• Focal Ratio: f/4.9
• Star Magnitude Limit: 15.9
• Maximum Useful Magnification: 610×
• Rayleigh Resolution: 0.47 arcseconds
• Dawes Resolution: 0.38 arcseconds
• Light-Gathering Power: 1898×
• Tube Weight: 18.0 kg
• Tube Length: 1400 mm
• Tube Diameter: 360 mm
• Focuser Type: Crayford
• Focuser Diameter: 2 inches
• Secondary Mirror Diameter: 70 mm
• Warranty Period: 60 months