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Sky-Watcher

Sky-Watcher Stargate Go-To 400mm Dobsonian Telescope

Sky-Watcher Stargate Go-To 400mm Dobsonian Telescope

Regular price £3,731.00
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StarGate range with a large 406 mm diameter, transportable by 1 person.

  • Perfect for deep sky observation
  • Focal ratio at only f/4 (wide field)
  • Lightweight primary and secondary mirror
  • 50.8 mm dual-speed 10:1 focuser
  • Automatic (GOTO) pointing and motorized tracking
  • Truss-type structure, detachable into several elements and foldable.
  • WiFi card included, allowing control of the telescope via a smartphone.

After repeatedly revolutionizing the concept and accessibility of Dobsonian telescopes, Sky-Watcher now expands to very large diameters (over 400 mm) . The FlexTube series was the first collapsible Dobsonian telescope, offering greater ease of storage and transport. Subsequently, the introduction of motorized tracking on the FlexTube Go-To made Dobsonian telescopes extremely attractive. For several years, it has been possible to have a large diameter instrument (300, 350 or even 400 mm) with automatic pointing at an affordable price.

Everything you need to know about the Sky-Watcher Stargate 406 mm f/4.06 GOTO Dobsonian telescope.

The renowned Chinese manufacturer, a world leader in telescope manufacturing , now offers the StarGate range, with 16" (406 mm), 18" (458 mm), and 20" (508 mm) instruments for the most demanding amateurs, public observatories, and astronomy clubs. These larger diameters require a complete redesign so that they can be transported by a single person. In fact, the 350 and 406 mm FlexTube models are already too heavy to carry unaided (even just the base!). The base itself has been completely redesigned to resemble the ultra-compact Dobsonian telescopes of other manufacturers.

With such a mirror, a 406 mm telescope captures 77% more light than a 305 mm one , making deep sky observation a delight. Messier objects are easily observed, and galaxies can be seen in detail (and not just located). Adding highly selective filters like O-III or H-beta does not result in a significant loss of brightness. The most beautiful nebulae and clusters can be observed with an extraordinary level of detail . With an f/4 focal ratio and wide-field eyepieces, vast stellar expanses can be observed despite its large diameter: a 1650 mm focal length, equivalent to that of a 150 mm (6") Schmidt-Cassegrain or shorter than a Mak150.

On planetary nights with low atmospheric turbulence and excellent collimation, the results will be spectacular with such a large telescope . Jupiter will reveal subtle color variations in its cloud bands with astonishing ease. Saturn will display its rings like never before. The Moon will be rediscovered, even by the most experienced observers. Mars, a fascinating but difficult object to observe, will reveal a wealth of details.

Truss-type construction

The main idea of the StarGate range is to have an instrument that can be transported by a single person, without excessively heavy components. The structure is of the Serrurier truss type , with three detachable and foldable tubes and two V-shaped tubes connecting a central ring to the cage surrounding the primary mirror. The primary mirror cage rests on a base that allows the entire assembly to rotate 360°. In terms of transport, the total weight is 50 kg, but the heaviest component weighs a maximum of 23 kg . Assembly time is approximately 25-30 minutes after a few nights of observation.

The secondary mirror cage is light (less than 4 kg) thanks to a single ring that holds both the secondary mirror holder and the focuser. A rigid shield, located on the opposite side, limits the entry of stray light near the focuser . The tubes are easily coupled using small, comfortable thumbscrews. The tube folds for easy storage if you prefer not to disassemble it.

Optical Design

The primary mirror is thus exposed to the outside with minimal protection. There is no primary mirror cage itself. The primary mirror holder, the mirror cell, is the main component to which the curved panels for tilt adjustment and the Serrurier truss tubes are attached. The focuser height at the zenith is 1.8 m, which often eliminates the need for a stool .

To lighten the metallic structures, Sky-Watcher opted for special mirrors. Made of BK7 borosilicate glass (with low thermal expansion), the parabolic primary mirror features ribs that minimize its deformation , ensuring high performance regardless of the telescope's orientation angle. This design also makes it thinner, resulting in faster cooling and lower weight. The secondary mirror, on the other hand, has a honeycomb structure (to achieve the same effect) .

Like the secondary mirror, the primary mirror is coated with silicon dioxide (SiO2) (a thin layer of quartz) for effective protection and 94% reflectivity. The image is bright, contrasted, and sharp: a delight for all your observations.

Dual-Speed 10:1 Focusing Eyepiece Holder

Focusing is achieved using a dual-speed Crayford focuser . Much more precise than a basic rack-and-pinion system, it offers greater ease of use to achieve focus (which is even more delicate and sensitive due to the telescope's short focal ratio). It allows for fine focusing thanks to the 1:10 reduction ratio , a highly appreciated advantage during observations with high magnification. It can support heavy loads. A locking screw located at the bottom of the focuser allows the focus to be maintained regardless of the optical tube's orientation. A 31.75 mm adapter is included as standard to use eyepieces of the same format with the 50.8 mm focuser.

Also included as standard is an achromatic finder with a mount. With a 50mm diameter and 9x magnification, it allows for observing objects invisible in smaller finders, greatly simplifying the search. Two eyepieces, with 20mm and 12.5mm focal lengths (70° field of view), will provide you with a good range of magnifications compatible with any objective. Another important accessory is a protective skirt to limit the entry of stray light. Made of nylon, it is elastic, lightweight, and easily adaptable to the instrument.

GoTo Motorized System (Automatic Pointing)

For greater user comfort , Sky-Watcher offers the StarGate range with dual-axis motorization (equivalent to a motorized altazimuth mount) and a remote control for pointing and tracking objects. Therefore , it is not necessary to know the position of stars or distant deep-sky objects ; the Dobsonian AZ GOTO mount automatically moves the instrument to the target you want to observe.

After calibration (polar alignment), orienting the optical tube north and leveling it, select the mount alignment on one or two stars. The database stores over 42,900 objects, including those from major catalogs (Messier, NGC, IC, as well as planets, the Moon, and the Sun). For convenience, the mount moves quickly using the SynScan handset. Easy to use, it allows you to quickly point the instrument at any galaxy, nebula, cluster, or solar system object. Discover in detail the famous Andromeda galaxy, the fabulous envelopes surrounding the heart of Orion, the Hercules cluster M13, and its core teeming with thousands of stars. Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon are also wonders that can be observed without restrictions.

The handset screen, which displays the date, time, and observation location, along with the "Tour" function, allows the AZ GOTO mount to be pointed at the most interesting objects throughout the night . Enjoy a guided tour of the sky from your observation location by pressing the "Enter" button after selecting an object from the drop-down list. The ability to track any object eliminates the need for manual repositioning (a very practical function during public observing sessions). The object remains centered in the field of view , facilitating the observation of details, especially on planets.

The Sky-Watcher StarGate GoTo range now includes an integrated WiFi card that allows remote control of the telescope with a smartphone or tablet, without the need for connection cables, using the free SynScan Pro app.

Specifications

Feature Detail
Optical formula Newtonian
Mount Altazimuth Dobsonian
Effective diameter 406 mm
Focal length 1650 mm
Focal ratio f/4.06
Secondary mirror 120 mm
Central obstruction 29.56% (linear) / 8.74% (area)
Go-To system SynScan with automatic tracking and pointing
Motor Dual axis
Go-To accuracy ±5 arc minutes
Pointing speeds 1x to 800x
Transmission Stepper motor with belt and pulley
Database 42,900 objects
Tracking modes Sidereal, lunar, and solar
Connectivity Integrated Wi-Fi
Focuser Dual-speed Crayford (1:10)
Eyepiece holders 2" (50.8 mm) and 1.25" (31.75 mm)
Tube length 850 mm (folded) / 1500 mm (extended)
Total weight 50 kg
Power supply (not included) 11–15 V DC, 5 A (2.1 mm connector, center positive)

 

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SEGURIDAD PRODUCTOS Fabricante Optique Unterlinden, 5 rue Jacques Daguerre, 68000 Colmar (Francia) – www.optique-unterlinden.com
⚠️ NOTAS DE ADVERTENCIA

GAFAS PARA LA OBSERVACIÓN DE ECLIPSE

  • INSTRUCCIONES: Revise antes de cada uso. No utilice ni deseche si está dañado, rasgado, perforado o separado de alguna manera del marco. No lo use con otros dispositivos ópticos. No es un juguete. Los niños deben usarlo solo bajo la supervisión de un adulto. Limítese a 3 minutos de uso continuo, con interrupciones durante varias horas. No se mueva mientras usa este producto, no conduzca un vehículo ni opere maquinaria. No lo use si tiene un ojo enfermo o después de una operación ocular.
  • ADVERTENCIA: Nunca mire directamente al sol sin protección ocular especial. Siempre use gafas de eclipse al observar el eclipse solar, especialmente si una parte del sol es visible. Mirar directamente al sol puede causar daños permanentes si no se toman las precauciones adecuadas. Se debe usar protección ocular adecuada, diseñada específicamente para la observación solar, para evitar que los rayos dañinos del sol lleguen a los ojos. Deséchelo después de 3 años y no lo utilice después de ese tiempo.

OBSERVACIÓN SOLAR CON TELESCOPIO

  • Nunca mire al sol a través de un ocular/telescopio sin un filtro de protección verificado. Un filtro lunar nunca puede usarse para la observación solar. El filtro lunar solo es adecuado para la observación de la luna. El filtro solar debe montarse en la apertura del telescopio, no en el ocular. De lo contrario, el rayo de luz concentrado por la óptica destruirá inmediatamente la película del filtro, lo que provocará daños oculares graves e incluso ceguera total.
  • Revise el filtro solar antes de cada observación solar y asegúrese de que no esté dañado. Manténgalo frente a una fuente de luz intensa para poder detectar posibles grietas y/o agujeros. No use el telescopio para la observación solar, incluso si el filtro solar está solo ligeramente dañado. En este caso, comuníquese con el fabricante para obtener las piezas de repuesto correspondientes.
  • Siempre use el filtro solar cuando observe el sol. Asegúrese de que este filtro esté colocado correctamente en el telescopio según las instrucciones. El uso del filtro solar está destinado únicamente para su uso con este telescopio.
  • Revise el ajuste del filtro solar antes de cada observación solar. Si se suelta accidentalmente de la abertura del objetivo, esto puede causar daños oculares inmediatos y permanentes, e incluso ceguera.
  • Si el filtro solar no puede montarse de manera suficientemente firme en el tubo, mejore el ajuste colocando varias tiras de fieltro autoadhesivas o similares entre el filtro solar y la abertura del objetivo. Nunca use el filtro solar si no puede colocarse correctamente en el telescopio. En tal caso, siempre contacte primero con nuestro servicio al cliente.
  • Tenga mucho cuidado al observar el sol. Incluso una mirada corta a través de la óptica sin protección puede causar daños oculares graves e incluso ceguera total.
  • Los niños, incluso con el filtro montado correctamente, no deben mirar al sol a través del telescopio. Nunca deje a los niños sin supervisión.
  • Nunca deje la óptica sin supervisión. Los niños y los adultos inexpertos podrían dirigir el telescopio hacia el sol sin las precauciones adecuadas y perder la vista.
  • No realice observaciones solares sin la consulta previa de un médico después de una operación ocular o cualquier otra enfermedad ocular.
  • Las ondas/pliegues en la película son normales y no constituyen un defecto del producto.
  • No exponga el dispositivo a altas temperaturas.

ADVERTENCIAS Y SEGURIDAD DE LAS PILAS

  • NO USE pilas falsas en los productos. Use solo las pilas proporcionadas. Use la pila EXCLUSIVAMENTE para el propósito previsto.
  • Guarde las pilas fuera del alcance de los niños y mascotas.
  • NO USE pilas que parezcan tener la carcasa dañada, inflada o modificada. No use pilas que hayan goteado, huelan, estén hinchadas o derretidas o presenten abolladuras, óxido, grietas o rayones.
  • La pila NO debe ser desmontada, aplastada, perforada, triturada ni manipulada de ninguna otra forma.
  • La pila NO debe exponerse a líquidos.
  • No debe intentar secar una pila mojada o húmeda con un dispositivo o fuente de calor.
  • El dispositivo o la pila NO deben ser colocados cerca de una fuente de calor o bajo la luz solar directa.
  • La pila NO debe tocar objetos metálicos.
  • La pila NO debe ser almacenada junto a materiales peligrosos o inflamables. Guarde la pila en un lugar fresco, seco y bien ventilado.
  • La pila NO debe insertarse incorrectamente al cargarla.
  • La pila NO debe cargarse bajo luz solar directa ni a temperaturas extremas. Cárguela a temperatura ambiente (20 °C – 26 °C).
  • Evite dejar caer la pila o el producto. Si sospecha que la pila está dañada, reemplácela.
  • Nunca deje su dispositivo conectado a la corriente más de 24 horas. Deje que la pila se agote y luego recárguela.
  • Para obtener los mejores resultados, reemplace las pilas según el uso después de 12 meses o antes.
  • Siga las regulaciones locales para la eliminación de las pilas usadas. NO arroje la pila al fuego ni al agua.