Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS f/5 Parabolic Dual-Speed Imaging Newtonian

The Explorer 150PDS is a high-quality 150mm f/5 Newtonian telescope designed primarily for prime-focus astrophotography, but can also be used for visual astronomy. 

Sky-Watcher’s prowess in commercial mirror manufacturing is well known, and their parabolic primary mirrors are a key feature. A properly figured parabolic primary mirror eliminates spherical aberration by bringing light rays to a common focal point, resulting in sharp, contrasty images with detailed features. 

The secondary mirror is held in place by four 0.5 mm-thin spider vanes that are extremely rigid when tensioned. These supports minimise obstruction to the light path, allowing more precious photons to pass through and keeping diffraction spikes to an absolute minimum. 

Both primary and secondary mirrors are finished with Sky-Watcher’s RAQ™ Radiant Aluminium Quartz coatings, comprising layers of aluminium, tantalum pentoxide and silicon dioxide to deliver a brilliant, highly durable finish with 94% reflectivity that will last for years. 

The telescope's internally darkened rolled-steel tube provides excellent rigidity and is finished in Sky-Watcher’s proprietary Black Diamond flecked metallic paint. Contrasting white-painted components are more visible in the dark, so they prevent accidental knocks. 

The telescope is fitted with a 2” Dual-Speed 10:1 ratio Crayford focuser for coarse and precise focusing. 1.25” and 2” eyepiece adaptors are included for compatibility with standard 1.25” or 2” eyepieces. 

Supplied with tube rings, a 45mm dovetail bar, a 28mm 2” LET eyepiece, a piggyback camera adaptor, and a 6x30 fully multi-coated finderscope with a crosshair reticle. 

An optically matched Sky-Watcher M48 Coma Corrector (code 20233) is available separately for best astrophotography results. 

With a tube weight of 4.9kg, it’s a good match for Sky-Watcher’s EQ3 Pro, EQ5 Pro, EQM-35 Pro, and EQ-AL55i Pro astronomy mounts.