Sky-watcher Dobson 8" Flex Tube Go-To (SW-1320)

Sky-Watcher Company is a global leader in telescope manufacturing, especially Newtonian telescopes on Dobsonian mounts. The company has long emphasized the highest quality optics in its telescopes, which is reflected in stunning images of the Universe and many positive reviews worldwide. With extensive experience since 1990, Sky-Watcher Dobsonians are produced in an elegant, mature, and classic form that is both economical and affordable. Although there are many imitators on the market, none rival Sky-Watcher in creating not only optically excellent but also affordable Dobsonian telescopes.

This is a large Newtonian telescope equipped with a 203mm (8-inch) diameter mirror and a focal length of 1200mm. Thanks to its significant optical capabilities, this telescope is an excellent choice for both beginners and demanding astronomy enthusiasts. The 203mm mirror and moderate focal ratio make it ideal for observing details on the disks of Solar System planets and, under dark skies, for locating hundreds of objects such as star clusters and galaxies.

Go-To System
The telescope is equipped with a Go-To system that allows automatic finding and tracking of thousands of objects in both axes of the Dobsonian base, using high-precision stepper motors. The Go-To system greatly enhances observation comfort. Objects can be selected from a list, and the telescope can be precisely adjusted using electronic micro-movements. Thanks to dual-axis encoders, the telescope can be rotated manually without losing tracking. After setting to a new object, the telescope automatically follows its movement.
Note: The set does not include a power supply. A mains or battery power supply must be purchased separately.

Optical System
This telescope uses the classic Newtonian design. The main mirror is parabolic, 203mm (8 inches) in diameter, with a focal length of 1200mm. The focal ratio is f/6, which is optimal and does not produce strong coma at the image edges. Such telescopes are less affected by features considered drawbacks of Newtonians. Relatively low coma and moderate secondary obstruction result in sharp images, providing not only good views of nebulae but also detailed planetary images.

Flex-Tube Collapsible Design
Sky-Watcher’s design is unique: large Dobsonian telescopes can be collapsed for storage, taking up much less space. Folding is done via sliding tube elements, requiring no tools or disassembly. The telescope is ready for observation in seconds, and the precise mechanism ensures no need for collimation after unfolding.

Pyrex Mirror
All Sky-Watcher Dobson 8" and larger telescopes come standard with a PYREX mirror, a low thermal expansion glass that provides higher image quality compared to ordinary glass mirrors.

Mount
The telescope is mounted on an azimuthal Dobsonian mount-a simple and very stable construction allowing easy rotation in azimuth and altitude. The telescope is held on both sides in a fork mount, with the upper part rotating at the base. The low center of gravity and rigid materials make it much more stable than equatorial mounts.

Focuser
The telescope features a 2" Crayford focuser with a 1.25" adapter. It operates smoothly and without play. It comes with a 2" extension and a 1.25" extension/adapter, which should be used alternately, not together. The focuser is compatible with Sky-Watcher autofocuser drives.

Astronomical Observations

• Solar System:

  • Surface features on the Moon larger than 1 km

  • Sunspots and photosphere granulation clearly visible

  • All Solar System planets

  • Phases of Mercury and Venus

  • Mars disk, polar caps during opposition, first surface details

  • Jupiter’s belts and Galilean moons

  • Saturn’s rings with Cassini division, atmospheric bands, several smaller moons

  • Uranus and Neptune as blue-colored stars

  • Movement of many asteroids

  • Observation of many faint comets and their structure

• Stars:

  • About 2.7 million stars across the sky, up to magnitude 15

  • Double and multiple stars separated by more than 0.7-0.8"

  • Colors of many stars

• Nebulae and Deep Sky Objects:

  • All Messier catalog objects

  • Dozens or hundreds of globular clusters, often resolved into individual stars

  • Hundreds of open clusters with visible structural differences

  • Dozens of nebulae with rich and subtle details

  • Dozens of galaxies with visible structure, clear shapes, and disk orientation

  • Structure and composition of many planetary nebulae, increased contrast with filters

  • Visible supernova remnants

With a 20cm mirror, objects are much clearer and details more obvious than with 130mm or 150mm telescopes. However, images become more susceptible to light pollution, air pollution, atmospheric stability (seeing), and optical collimation accuracy. These limitations should be considered for optimal sky images with 20cm or larger telescopes.

Terrestrial Observations
This type of optics is not well-suited for terrestrial observations. To obtain an upright image, an erecting lens is needed. With such a lens and the mount, the telescope can be used for simple terrestrial viewing. The Dobsonian mount allows easy control in both axes and is rigid, reducing vibrations, making it possible to observe airplanes at cruising altitude.

Warning:
When using solar filters on Sky-Watcher Dobson Flex Tube telescopes, always use a sunshade to prevent light from entering the tube from the side. Failure to do so can damage the filter, telescope, or-most importantly-the observer’s eyesight. Safety is paramount during solar observations.

Due to the portable nature of the set, it does not come with a factory mains power supply-only a car socket power supply is included. A suitable mains adapter is the ESPE 12V/3A.

Included Equipment

• Foldable Dobson mount

• Super PL 10mm and Super PL 25mm eyepieces

• AZ SynScan controller

• 9x50 finder scope

Specifications

• Catalog number: SW-1320

• Optical system: Newtonian

• Mount type: Dobson

• Aperture: 203 mm

• Focal length: 1200 mm

• Focal ratio: f/5.9

• Limiting magnitude: 14.1

• Maximum useful magnification: 406x

• Maximum resolution (Rayleigh): 0.70"

• Maximum resolution (Dawes): 0.57"

• Light gathering power: 841x

• Tube weight: 11 kg

• Mount weight: 25 kg

• Total weight: 36 kg

• Tube length: 1120 mm

• Tube diameter: 240 mm

• Tripod type: Dobson

• Tripod height: 740 mm

• Mount control: SynScan Go-To

• Focuser type: Crayford

• Focuser diameter: 2"

• Focuser micro-movements: no

• Secondary mirror diameter: 51 mm

• Electronics warranty: 24 months

• Warranty period: 60 months