Sky-Watcher BK MAK 127/1500 SkyMax EQ3-2 Telescope (steel)

The MAK 127 telescope is an excellent choice for astronomy enthusiasts looking for a portable instrument with an emphasis on observing the Moon and the planets of the Solar System. The telescope consists of a corrective meniscus lens, a primary mirror, and a secondary mirror mounted on the inner surface of the meniscus. These telescopes have reduced coma and exhibit only minimal chromatic aberration, providing sharp and well-defined images. The major advantages of Maksutov telescopes are their short tube length, compact design, and generally low weight. Due to their long focal length and relatively low focal ratio, they are particularly well suited to planetary observations. This type of design performs well in urban environments, where light-polluted skies make it difficult to observe many nebular objects.

The telescope features a 2-inch eyepiece focuser with a 1.25-inch adapter, as well as a 2-inch diagonal and two Super eyepieces with focal lengths of 10 mm and 25 mm, providing magnifications of 150× and 60×, respectively.

Optical System

The telescope consists of a spherical meniscus corrector (a negative meniscus lens made of crown glass), a primary mirror, and a secondary mirror mounted on the inner surface of the meniscus. Telescopes of this type have reduced coma and astigmatism and generally exhibit only minimal chromatic aberration. They provide exceptionally sharp and well-defined images.

Due to their long focal length and relatively low focal ratio, they are particularly well suited to observing the Moon and planets. Unfortunately, this type of telescope does not provide a wide field of view and is therefore generally not suitable for observing nebular objects.

This telescope gathers approximately 235 times more light than the human eye at night, making it possible to observe objects down to approximately 12.1 magnitude (compared with approximately 6th magnitude visible to the naked eye). The size of the mirror is also related to optical resolution, which in this telescope allows stars separated by more than 1.1 arcseconds to be resolved.

Mount

The EQ3-2 is the entry-level mount that includes a provision for a polar scope. It is a recommended mount: reasonably stable, yet still light enough to be portable. This mount receives excellent ratings among astronomy enthusiasts.

It is characterized by its solid construction, precision, and stability, combined with a wide range of useful features for advanced amateur astronomers. The mount head rests securely on a sturdy, adjustable steel tripod equipped with 1.75-inch diameter legs and a convenient accessory tray. The steel legs provide significantly better image stability and vibration damping.

Precision slow-motion controls allow accurate manual tracking of objects in the sky. The EQ3-2 mount mechanism is based on specially designed worm gears, enabling precise control of movement in both the right ascension and declination axes.

The mount can be equipped with drive motors on one or both axes, or it can be upgraded to a full GoTo system.

Focuser

The telescope is equipped with a 2-inch eyepiece outlet. Focusing is performed using a knob located near the primary mirror. Focusing is achieved by adjusting the position of the primary mirror. Two eyepieces of this diameter are included with the telescope.

Astronomical Observations

1. Solar System

• lunar surface features larger than 1.5–2 km;
• sunspots and their structure;
• all planets of the Solar System;
• the phases of Mercury and Venus;
• the disk of Mars;
• the equatorial bands of Jupiter and the Galilean moons;
• Saturn’s rings and several of the planet’s smaller moons;
• Uranus and Neptune;
• the movement of asteroids against the background of stars;
• observations of bright comets.

2. Stars

• approximately 1.8 million stars across the entire sky, down to approximately 12.1 magnitude;
• double and multiple stars with an angular separation greater than 1.1″;
• the colors of the brightest stars.

3. Deep-Sky Objects

• almost all objects in the Messier catalogue;
• hundreds of globular clusters;
• hundreds of open clusters;
• brighter nebulae;
• dozens of galaxies

Specifications

Equipment

• 90° 2″ diagonal
• 2″ to 1.25″ eyepiece adapter
• Finder: Star Pointer
• Eyepieces: Plössl 25 mm, Plössl 10 mm