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Explore Scientific - Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00

$9,999.99

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- Olivia 

"The Explore Scientific AR102 Telescope is an absolute gem! ✨ With its superior-class optics and lightweight design, it's a dream come true for any stargazer.🌌" .| Verified Purchase"

Main Benefits:

  • Aperture & Focal Length: Aperture: 500mm (20") - Collects massive amounts of light for exceptional deep-sky observations. Focal Length: 1826mm (f/3.6) - Fast focal ratio provides a wide field of view for sweeping large areas and moderate magnification for detailed views.
  • Mount type: Dobsonian mount: Manual alt-azimuth mount for simple pointing and tracking. Ideal for deep-sky observation due to its large aperture and wide field of view.
  • Optics: Primary mirror: 500mm parabolic design made of high-quality quartz for improved cooling and image quality. Secondary mirror: 24% obstruction, aluminum-coated with 94% reflectivity for efficient light gathering. Protective layer: Durable quartz layer on the primary mirror for resistance to dew and damage.

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Description

The ideal workhorse for the deep sky observers, the Explore Scientific 20-inch f/3.6 Truss-Tube Dobsonian is our largest aperture telescope. The 500mm mirror collects 5100 times more light than the naked eye. Details on planets and deep sky objects will be visible even for inexperienced observers. Bright star clusters are resolved to the core, and the sight of the terminator on the moon is an unforgettable experience.

The fast 20" f3.6 main mirror as well as the large 120mm secondary mirror are made of high quality quartz material, so the cooling time is reduced to a minimum and this Dobsonian is quickly ready for use. Every main mirror is delivered with an individual optical test certificate, which guarantees the highest capacity. A laser engraved center mark of the main mirror allows easy adjustment. The optical surface has a high-quality aluminum coating with 94% reflectivity and an extremely resistant quartz protection layer. The mirror overcomes frequently occurring dew fogging and cleanups without damage and guarantees a long service life.

No telescope type has changed the hobby quite as much as the Dobsonian. Before the introduction of the Dobsonian by John Dobson, the vast majority of amateur telescopes consisted of small telescopes with primitive mechanics - barely enough to see the polar caps of Mars or the rings of Saturn. Larger telescopes, such as the Schmidt-Cassegrain were reserved for the wealthy. The ingenious combination of simple yet effective mechanisms with the greatest possible opening gives the Dobsonian telescope a unique triumphant march around the world. Nowhere do you get as much light for your money like a good Dobson. Disassembly of the scope without tools ensures a trouble-free transport of this great scope even in small cars. The entire structure has been optimized for maximum stiffness with minimal weight. The combination of high altitude bearings with optimized aluminum structures allows fine adjustment flows at high magnifications.

A complete redesign of this Dobsonian was necessary to ensure the significantly increased requirements to stiffness and load bearing capacity of the optical components. All connections of the tube structure were made in the TIG welding process and no rivets and screws were used. This has made it possible for us to produce this 20" light weight Dobsonian so unbelievably stiff in spite of the low weight - a noticeably good quality which is begging you to take one home. The production of almost all mechanical components is carried out by our partners in Hungary and the final assembly of the optics and subsequent quality control takes place in Rhede, Germany. 

A second 40° displaced installed mounting plate with a viewfinder shoe allows the rotation of the tube top in combination for a favorable position of the viewfinder tube or the mounting of an additional TELRAD viewfinder. The 6 supporting feet underneath the rocker box offers perfect stability and guarantees smooth tracking in azimuth. Four smaller fans are installed in the side of the mirror box as well as a large fan installed under the main mirror. This allows an even quicker adaptation to the ambient temperature and reduces the tube seeing (boundary layer removal). The lateral altitude wheels can now be stowed comfortably in the foam layers of the mirror box.

Includes 2.5" HEX focuser with helical gearing and 10:1 reduction; LED Red Dot Finder, collimation assist tool; soft light baffle and two radial main mirror fans for fast temperature equilibrium.

The scope is ready for the use with our optional coma corrector.

Video

Specs

Item Number DOB2036–00
f/ratio f/3.6
Focal length 1,826 mm
Primary mirror diameter 50 cm
Secondary obstruction 24%
Mirror cell support points 18
Truss pole length 100 cm
Truss pole diameter 25 mm
Secondary cage assembly diameter 57 cm
Secondary cage assembly weight 8 pounds
Secondary cage assembly height 95 cm
Mirror box/rocker box height 56 cm
Mirror box weight * 105 pounds
Height to center of eyepiece at zenith 170 cm
Theoretical limiting stellar magnitude 0.23 arc sec
Theoretical limiting magnitude 16.19 mag
Theoretical maximum magnification 1,000x
* Mirror weight can vary because of the manufacturing process; these values are approximate

Warranty

Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferrable Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase.

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Explore Scientific - Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00

Additional Features

2.5" HEX focuser: Helical gearing and 10:1 reduction for precise focusing.
40° displaced mounting plate: Provides flexible positioning for finders and accessories.

6 support feet: Enhance stability and smooth tracking.
Red dot finder: Facilitates easy target acquisition.
Collimation tool: Enables maintaining optimal mirror alignment.

Soft light baffle: Minimizes stray light for improved contrast.
2 radial fans: Accelerate mirror temperature equilibration for faster use.

Explore Scientific - Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00

Deep-Sky Delights

Witness celestial marvels in unprecedented detail: Explore the intricate structures of galaxies, the vibrant colors of nebulae, and the faint wisps of star clusters like never before.

Push the boundaries of observation: Go beyond the known and explore fainter objects, venturing into uncharted territory for personal discoveries.

Challenge yourself and delve into astrophotography: Capture breathtaking deep-sky images, pushing your astrophotography skills to new heights.

Explore Scientific - Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00

Unparalleled Viewing Experience

Immerse yourself in the cosmos: The sheer scale of the 20" aperture creates an awe-inspiring view, transporting you to the heart of the universe.

Share the magic with others: Host stargazing parties and inspire awe in friends and family, fostering a shared love for astronomy.

Connect with history and the vastness of time: Gazing at ancient galaxies connects you to our place in the cosmos, fostering a deeper understanding of our existence.


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If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, within 30 days of placing your order, we will refund you for your purchase with no questions asked.

Aperture size is the diameter of the main lens or mirror in a telescope, and it is the most important factor in determining how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and more detailed images. Generally, larger apertures are better, but they also tend to be more expensive and bulkier.

Magnification is important for making objects appear larger, but it does not create more detail. Aperture is more important for determining the overall quality of the image, including its brightness, resolution, and contrast. However, magnification can still be useful for getting a closer look at specific features of an object that you can already see with lower magnification.

All telescopes are affected by light pollution to some extent, but Dobsonians and reflectors are generally less affected than refractors. This is because refractors have more internal surfaces where light can bounce around and cause glare. If you live in an area with a lot of light pollution, you may want to consider a Dobsonian or reflector, or find a dark observing location.

The essential accessories for your telescope will depend on your specific needs and interests. However, some common recommendations include:
Extra eyepieces: This will allow you to change the magnification of your telescope to suit different observing conditions and objects.
A finder scope: This is a small, low-power telescope that helps you aim the main telescope at the correct area of the sky.
A collimation kit: This is used to adjust the alignment of the mirrors in a reflector telescope.
A star chart or planisphere: This will help you identify objects in the night sky.

Dobsonian telescopes are generally the easiest to set up, as they typically only require placing them on the ground and aligning the finder scope. Refractors and reflectors may require more assembly and alignment, but the process is not overly complicated. Many telescopes come with instructions and online resources can also be helpful.

You may need a few basic tools, such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench, to assemble some telescopes. However, you do not need any special knowledge to get started. There are many resources available to help you learn how to use your telescope, such as online tutorials, books, and astronomy clubs.

Here is a general guide to what you can expect to see under typical observing conditions with different telescope apertures:

50mm-70mm: You can see the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter, and some brighter deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
70mm-100mm: You can see more detail in the planets, including the rings of Saturn and the cloud bands on Jupiter. You can also see more faint deep sky objects.
100mm+: You can start to see more challenging deep sky objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. You can also see more detail in fainter objects like comets and asteroids.

We are often advised that you are able to see them through any small telescope, or even binoculars. But you really need a telescope with at least 40 times magnification to clearly see the detail of the rings as separate from the planet. And the bigger the telescope, the better.

For Galactic Observations: A reflecting telescope with a larger aperture (150mm-250mm) and a moderate focal length (750mm-1250mm) is ideal for capturing distant galaxies. Telescopes such as the Orion XT8 or the Celestron Advanced VX 8" offer excellent light-gathering capabilities and versatility.

Optical telescopes, for example, can see objects up to billions of light-years away, while radio telescopes can detect signals from even further distances. However, when it comes to observing the universe's earliest moments, telescopes can only see so far.

In general, a top-quality 4-inch refractor shows deep-sky objects about as well as a 5-inch reflector or catadioptric, and might even do a bit better on the planets. Most telescopes with apertures of 80 mm or less are refractors.

Refractor Telescopes: Refractors use lenses to gather and focus light, offering crisp and clear images. They are excellent for planetary observation due to their ability to provide high contrast and detailed views.

Some of the most newly detected objects may be over 13 billion light years away, as derived from a standard model of the Universe. However, a powerful new generation of telescopes, like the James Webb Space Telescope, will be needed to confirm the suspected distances of these objects.

The most important aspect of any telescope is its aperture, the diameter of its main optical component, which can be either a lens or a mirror. A scope's aperture determines both its light-gathering ability (how bright the image appears) and its resolving power (how sharp the image appears).

The telescope you want has two essentials: high-quality optics and a steady, smoothly working mount. And all other things being equal, big scopes show more and are easier to use than small ones, as we'll see below. But don't overlook portability and convenience — the best scope for you is the one you'll actually use.

With just a small or medium-sized telescope, skygazers can easily observe planets. You'll be surprised how much of our solar system you can see! And you don't need a dark sky to view all of our solar system's planets; even under city lights, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be easy to see with a telescope.

In summary: Refractors generally have the edge over reflectors for a quality image, both from the standpoint of lens/mirror quality and precision optical mountings, and lack of central obscurations.


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