Named after their venerable GoTo system, the Celestron NexStar 130SLT 130mm f/5 Reflector Telescope is a complete platform for making observations of the Moon, planets, and bright deep-space objects such as binary stars, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. The combination of large aperture and shorter focal length translates to a fast f/5 focal ratio making this iteration of the NexStar telescope series ideal for wide-field astrophotography or making detailed images of the Moon. Celestron includes two eyepieces, plus an unmagnified finderscope, and stainless steel adjustable-height tripod.
Controlling the motorized single-arm fork mount is the NexStar computer hand controller. Set up is made easy through the use of several alignment procedures, and keeping objects centered is accomplished with variable tracking rates. Packed with over 4000 celestial objects in its database and expanded information on over 100 of those objects, users have the ability to add 99 of their own objects to help customize their experience. For fast observation sessions, simply choose Tour mode and the NexStar will build a selection of the best objects for that date, time, and location and automatically go to those objects.
- 130mm aperture
- f/5 focal ratio
- 650mm focal length
- Aluminum multi-coated glass parabolic mirror improves light transmission, color rendition, and contrast
- Resolution: Rayleigh: 1.07 arcsec; Dawes: 0.89 arcsec
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 1.7 inches; 33% by diameter; 11% by area
- 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser
- Dovetail plate attaches to mount head quickly
- 4000-object pre-loaded database, plus 99 user-defined objects
- Expanded information on over 100 of the most popular pre-loaded objects
- Tour mode: automatically shows the best objects overhead based on date/time/location when viewing
- Alignment Procedures: SkyAlign, Auto 2-star, 1-star, 2-star, Solar System
- Slew Speeds: 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x, 0.5°/sec, 1°/sec, 2°/sec, 4°/sec
- Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar
- Backlash Compensation: Trains-out play in drive gears for improved tracking precision
- 2-line,16-characters/line LCD screen; 19 fiber-optic backlit LED buttons; Adjustable brightness to preserve night-adjusted vision
- RS-232 port for tethering to a computer for remote control
- Powered by mount to reduce weight
- Database objects:
- Named Stars: The common name listing of the brightest stars in the sky
- Named Objects: Alphabetical listing of over 50 of the most popular deep-sky objects
- Asterisms: A unique list of some of the most recognizable star patterns in the sky
- Variable Stars: Select list of the brightest variable stars with the shortest period of changing magnitude
- Double Stars: Alphabetical listing of the most popular double, triple and quadruple stars
- Caldwell Catalog: With a combination of the best NGC and IC objects
- The complete Messier catalog
- Select NGC objects
- The solar system, including the Moon, Sun, planets, and constellations
- Single fork arm alt-azimuth
- Dual-axis DC servo motors with encoders; 0.26 arcsec motor resolution
- Integrated bubble level
- Dovetail saddle accepts plate for fast attachment
- Tool-free assembly
- Runs on eight user-supplied AA batteries, or optional 12VDC power supply
- Tripod:
- Stainless steel legs
- Adjustable-height allows easy use by a wide variety of users, standing or sitting
- Hand controller holder can be moved from leg to leg to avoid cord wrap
- Accessory tray stays attached, even when folded, and locks onto leg separator to improve stability and reduce vibrations
- Eyepieces:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- Accepts most 1.25" astronomical eyepiece filters
- 25mm = 26x power
- 9mm = 72x power
- Star Pointer finderscope:
- Wide unmagnified field of view speeds up alignment and finding subjects manually
- Center aiming dot won't obscure small objects
- Adjustable brightness preserves night-adjusted vision
- Dovetail mounting bracket makes attachment to OTA fast and easy