Explore Scientific David H. Levy 152mm Comet Hunter f/4.8 Carbon Fiber Maksutov-Newtonian Optical Tube Assembly 

Explore Scientific founder Scott Roberts and one of his life-long heroes, David H. Levy who is well known for discovering Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, the comet that hit Jupiter and broke apart in 1994, have collaborated to design the optical tube design known as the Explore Scientific David H. Levy Comet Hunter f/4.8 Carbon Fiber Maksutov-Newtonian Optical Tube Assembly (OTA). This design creates strong telescope while providing a rich-field system for high contrast, pinpoint views of stars as well as comets, planets like Jupiter's Red Spot, or deep sky objects like galaxies or nebulae. Explore Scientific wanted a fast, lightweight but yet strong optical tube with all the materials needed for those serious amateur astronomers to stargaze on a frequent basis!

The Comet Hunter Maksutov Newtonian optical design marries two classic telescopes designs drawing from the best features in each: the large aperture and crisp, bright clarity and perfect color of a Newtonian and the further enhanced color and striking contrast of a Maksutov.    Unlike traditional Newtonians, the Comet Hunter is a closed optical tube thanks to the Maksutov style corrector, keeping dust and dew from the interior of the telescope.  The typical spider vanes that would hold the secondary mirror in a Newtonian are eliminated as well with the secondary coated directly onto the curved Maksutov corrector lens.  Maksutov telescope design also resolves any issues with spherical aberration for perfectly sharp stars across the entire viewing plane.  The result is a nearly 6" telescope with no chromatic or spherical aberration and a fast focal ratio of f/4.8, making the Comet Hunter a versatile observing and imaging instrument for wide field viewing and deep sky object photography.   A carbon fiber optical tube helps the telescope remain stable through temperature changes in the night to reduce your need to refocus during imaging sessions and help keep the optical tube lightweight and easy to transport and set up.  

152mm Comet Hunter Features & Specifications: 

• Optical Design: Maksutov-Newtonian
• Aperture: 152mm (5.98")
• Primary Mirror Diameter: 152mm
• Focal Length: 731mm
• Focal Ratio: f/4.8
• Resolving Power: .77 arc seconds
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13.4
• Tube Diameter: 180mm
• Tube Length: 696mm
• Optical Tube Weight: 15.4lb.
• Dovetail Style: V (Vixen)

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