Sky-Watcher Star Discovery MAK 127 Telescope (SW-4015)

Astronomical observing has never been as simple and accessible as it is now with the new Sky-Watcher Star Discovery series. These telescopes are designed for beginners who feel overwhelmed by the variety of available models and who want equipment that is:

• lighter than typical telescopes
• quick to assemble
• easy to operate
• modern in design
• reliable for learning first observations

This is exactly what Star Discovery telescopes offer. Their stable azimuth mount on a steel extendable tripod includes the modern SynScan GO-TO system. Using the built-in Wi-Fi module and a smartphone app, the telescope can automatically locate and track objects in the sky. The dual-axis encoder system allows manual repositioning without losing alignment. For those who prefer traditional controls, the set also includes the SynScan V5 hand controller with an internal object database.

The mount head contains a battery holder for 8 AA batteries, enabling fully wireless operation. This makes the system perfect for remote observation sites far from city lights—for example during night trips or car expeditions under dark skies. It is also ideal for group sky shows, astronomy educators, or outreach events. The optical tube can be mounted or removed, and the tripod folded, in about three minutes using a few simple knobs. The tripod and tube fit into any car and can be carried and set up easily by a single person.

A smooth, adjustable elevation clutch ensures light and precise manual movement, even near the zenith. A quality finder or red-dot sight (depending on the model) helps quickly identify the sky region containing the chosen object. The Star Discovery mount is useful not only for astronomy: replacing the telescope with a DSLR and lens opens the door to simple astrophotography, time-lapse imaging, and video work. The mount shares many features with the Virtuoso series, including camera-shutter triggering (via an optional cable), battery power, and an L-adapter (dovetail) accessory system.

The Star Discovery series includes several telescope models:
• 102/500 mm achromatic refractor
• 102/1250 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
• 127/1500 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
• 130/650 mm parabolic Newtonian reflector
• 150/750 mm parabolic Newtonian reflector

Optical System

The Star Discovery 127 uses a 127 mm aperture, 1500 mm focal length Maksutov-Cassegrain optical system. The design consists of a spherical meniscus corrector, a primary mirror, and a secondary mirror placed on the inner surface of the meniscus. This construction reduces coma and astigmatism and shows only minimal chromatic aberration. It provides extremely sharp, high-contrast images. With its long focal length and narrow focal ratio, it is excellent for observing the Moon and planets. When paired with a 30–40 mm eyepiece, it can also reveal many bright deep-sky objects.

The telescope gathers about 235 times more light than the human eye, enabling observation of objects down to approximately magnitude 12.1 (with naked-eye visibility reaching about magnitude 6 under dark skies). Its optical resolution allows it to separate stars with angular distances greater than 1.1".

Focuser

The telescope is equipped with a 1.25" eyepiece port. Focusing is done using a knob that adjusts the position of the primary mirror. The included 1.25" 90° diagonal allows comfortable observing at the zenith and provides an upright image suitable for terrestrial viewing. Two eyepieces of this size are included in the set.

Astrophotography

The Star Discovery 127 is an excellent first telescope for learning astrophotography of the Moon, Sun, and planets. Its simple azimuth Go-To mount drives both axes and has sufficient load capacity for the Maksutov optical tube and a DSLR body. A built-in T-2 thread in the focuser allows direct connection of a T-ring and camera.

Astronomical Observations

1. Solar System
• lunar features larger than 1.5–2 km
• sunspots and solar surface structure (with proper solar filter)
• all Solar System planets
• phases of Mercury and Venus
• Mars’ disk
• detailed cloud-band structure on Jupiter in good conditions; Galilean moons
• Saturn’s rings and several moons
• Uranus and Neptune
• asteroid motion against the star field
• bright comets

2. Stars
• about 1.8 million stars up to magnitude 12.1
• double and multiple stars with separations above 1.1"
• visible color differences in the brightest stars

3. Nebulae and Deep-Sky Objects
• almost all Messier objects
• hundreds of globular clusters
• hundreds of open clusters
• bright nebulae
• dozens of galaxies

Terrestrial Observing

This type of optical system is not ideal for daytime terrestrial viewing, but a prism diagonal can be used to produce a correct upright image. With the diagonal and a suitable mount, the telescope can function as a simple terrestrial spotting instrument.

The set does not include an AC power adapter. The mount is powered by the included holder for 8 AA batteries. A compatible AC adapter is the ESPE 12V/3A model.

Included Equipment

• Star Discovery GT mount head
• hand controller
• 10 mm eyepiece
• 20 mm eyepiece
• steel tripod
• spreader tray
• 6×30 finder
• Wi-Fi module

Specifications

• Catalog number: SW-4015
• Optical system: Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Mount type: azimuthal
• Aperture: 127 mm
• Focal length: 1500 mm
• Focal ratio: f/11.8
• Limiting magnitude: 13.1
• Maximum useful magnification: 254×
• Maximum resolution (Rayleigh): 1.13"
• Maximum resolution (Dawes): 0.91"
• Light-gathering power: 329×
• Optical tube weight: 3.4 kg
• Tube length: 330 mm
• Tube diameter: 140 mm
• Tripod type: steel
• Mount control: SynScan Go-To
• Focuser type: SCT/MAK
• Focuser diameter: 1.25"
• Focuser micro-adjustment: no
• Mounting dovetail: Vixen
• Electronics warranty: 24 months
• Total warranty period: 60 months