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Developed in collaboration with David H. Levy, one of the discoverers of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet among others, the Explore Scientific 152 Comet Hunter 6" f/4.8 Maksutov-Newtonian Telescope is purpose-built to produce high contrast images with a precise focusing capability for observing everything from planets and deep-space objects, to sweeping the sky for comets.
The Maksutov-Newtonian design utilizes a front corrector plate to flatten the incoming light, a rear mirror to focus the light and a secondary mirror to direct the light to the observer's eye. This combination of corrector plate and mirrors creates a wide flat field of view with minimal edge distortion. Combined with the fast f/4.8 focal ratio, it makes an equally useful platform for astrophotography or astro-imaging.
The optical tube assembly (OTA) is constructed of carbon fiber to make it lightweight and durable. The carbon fiber is less resistant to expansion and contraction with temperature changes, which can cause the corrector and mirrors to shift out of alignment over time causing the scope to be incapable of producing sharp images. To assist in the alignment process and control the mount is the SkyTracker kit which includes the hand controller unit and right ascension and declination motors.
Its hand controller has more than 100,000 objects with the ability for users to input custom coordinates and favorites. With a slew speed of 2 deg. /second and nine tracking speeds the SkyTracker can accurately keep near and deep sky objects such as the Moon, planets, galaxies and nebulae centered in your eyepiece for long exposure imaging and astrophotography or prolonged observation sessions.