Stargate 500 Synscan Dobsonian Features
- User level; intermediate – professional
- Collapsible, transportable Dobsonian
- View moon, planets, comets, stars, galaxies and nebulae
- Collapsible truss design – 30 minute setup time
- Optional WiFi adapter
- Backed by 5 Years Sky-Watcher Limited Warranty
5 year manufacturer warranty (not transferable).
Stargate 500 Synscan Dobsonian Description
Sky-Watcher Stargate 500 SynScan Dobsonian
The Stargate Dobsonians represents the ultimate combination between light gathering, precision and portability for outstanding performance and resolution. The truss structure is compact, allowing for easy transportation while you’re in search of the perfect dark, pristine sky. The outstanding light gathering of the mirror and the superior resolution allow amazing journeys through the universe, offering spectacular observations of tangled gas filaments in nebulae, fine galaxy details and remarkable planet structures. Despite the size of the mirror, the telescope is easy to assemble following the step by step instructions and video.
To top it off, the Sky-Watcher Stargate is equipped with a 2″ Crayford dual speed focuser for smooth and precise focusing, and a focuser-locking screw.
Stargate 500 SynScan Dobsonian Features
- User level; intermediate – professional
- Collapsible, transportable Dobsonian
- View moon, planets, comets, stars, galaxies and nebulae
- Truss tube with stiffening clamps
- Borosilicate aluminised mirrors protected by quartz coating
- Aluminium structure and base
- Diffraction Limited Parabolic Mirror
- Ultra Thin Secondary Mirror Support (only 2.50mm)
- M42 Thread for DSLR Connection
- Backed by 5 Years Sky-Watcher Limited Warranty
Stargate 500 SynScan Dobsonian Features
The most extraordinary feature of the Stargate is the technology used in the mirrors. They are made up of borosilicate glass that has a very low expansion coefficient, reducing the stresses caused by thermal gradients. The primary mirror uses a special lightweight technology. In fact, the mirror is extremely light and thin, but the glass ribs beneath minimise the glass deformation, thus allowing continuous high performance in all the telescope angulations. Moreover, the small thickness of the mirror allows a much quicker cooling time compared to the standard monolithic mirrors. The secondary mirror has a honeycomb structure that follows the concept of the primary mirror: lightweight, rigid and quick to cool down.
Both the mirrors are aluminised and in order to protect the reflective treatment over the years, the coatings are protected by a thin layer of quartz (silicon dioxide). This protection is needed as the mirrors are exposed to external elements due to their position in an open truss tube. Sky-Watcher is one of the few companies in the world that use this particular technology.
Computerized Synscan
The Stargate Go-To is equipped with the Sky-Watcher SynScan that has in it’s memory 42,900 objects! Once the telescope is aligned, thousands of objects will be visible with a touch of a button; planets, the entire Messier catalogue, bright and double stars and the IC, NGC, SAO catalogues. In addition to this, the Deep Sky Tour function suggests a list of the most interesting deep sky objects so even the inexperienced astronomer can easily observe faint nebulae and galaxies.
The Freedom Find technology (dual-encoder) allows the telescope to be moved manually whenever the user wishes, but without losing any of the pre-set alignment.
Accessories in the Box:
- SynScan hand controller with cables 12V power cable with lighter socket plug
- Finderscope 9X50 straight version Eyepiece 2″ LET 28mm (71x) – apparent filed
- of view 56° Eyepiece 1.25″ Super Plossl 10mm (200x) – apparent filed of view
- 52° Eyepiece adapter from 2″ to 1.25″ with M42 thread 2″ tube extension
- Collimation Eyepiece User Manual
Optical Design
Newtonian (parabolic primary mirror)
The optical design of a telescope is a feature that defines what sort of observing the telescope is suitable for.
Optical Diameter
508mm (20")
The aperture (diameter) of a telescope’s main lens or mirror. This describes how much light a telescope can grasp.
Focal Length
2000mm
The distance that the light has to travel between the aperture and the focal point. A smaller focal lengths will deliver a wider field of view.
F/Ratio
f/3.9
The relationship between the focal length and the aperture, larger f/numbers imply higher magnification.
Secondary Mirror Diameter
136mm
Bounces the light back to the primary mirror and through a hole in its center.
Obstruction
26.8%
The secondary mirror in optical systems creates a shadow, which reduces the contrast and effective aperture performance.
Resolving Power
0.24"
The ability to clearly distinguish between two points whose separation is less than the smallest angle that your eye can resolve.
Stellar Limit Magnitude
16.2
The magnitude of the faintest object visible under zero light pollution conditions.
Highest Practical Power
1016X
Exceeding the Highest Practical Power will result in a fuzzy image.
Light Gathering Power
5267X
How much brighter things will appear than what the human eye can see.
Focuser
2" Crayford dual speed with 1.25" adaptor
Wider focusers allow for a wider field of view.
Tube Weight
45.4kg
You may need a counterweight to prevent your telescope from rotating downwards due to gravity.
Mount Weight
29.8kg
Weight of the telescope base.
Total Weight
75.2kg
The combined weight of the telescope tube and base.