Sky-Watcher BKP 15012 EQ3-2 150/1200 Telescope

The core component of the telescope is a 150 mm diameter parabolic mirror (6 inches) with a 1200 mm focal length. This diameter makes it possible to use a wide range of filters, and both the optical tube and its mount make high magnifications achievable.

Optical system
A Newtonian reflector telescope (Newtonian system), recommended particularly for lunar and planetary observation due to its medium brightness. The primary 150 mm parabolic mirror stands out as the telescope’s greatest strength, defining observational capability and image quality.

Capable of collecting around 320 times more light than the human eye at night, the telescope facilitates the observation of celestial bodies as faint as 12-13 stellar magnitudes (compared to the naked eye’s 6 magnitude limit). Mirror size also directly impacts optical resolution, allowing users to distinguish stars separated by just over 0.9".

Equipped with a Barlow lens, the instrument allows you to double the magnification provided by a 1.25" eyepiece, though at the cost of reducing field of view and image brightness.

Mount
The EQ3-2 represents the entry-level equatorial mount featuring a polar scope slot, renowned for its durability, accuracy, and stability, and packed with features essential for serious astronomers.

The mount head is firmly supported by a robust, height-adjustable aluminum tripod, which comes with a convenient accessory tray. Precision micro-movement knobs enable accurate manual tracking of celestial objects. The EQ3-2’s mechanics, driven by specialized worm gears, provide fine control across both right ascension and declination axes. Optional drives can be installed for single or dual-axis control, or the mount can be upgraded to a full GoTo system.

Eyepiece
Outfitted with a 1.25-inch rack-and-pinion focuser, the telescope package includes two eyepieces: 25 mm and 10 mm.

Included in the package:
- Super 10 mm eyepiece, 1.25 inch (120x),
- Super 25 mm eyepiece, 1.25 inch (48x),
- 2x Barlow lens with T2 adapter,
- 6x30 finderscope.

Technical data
Series: EQ3
Optical system: Newtonian (reflector)
Mirror diameter: 150 mm
Focal length: 1200 mm
F-ratio: f/8.0
Limit magnitude: 14.3 mag
Maximum useful magnification: 300x
Maximum resolution (Rayleigh): 0.95 arcseconds
Maximum resolution (Dawes): 0.77 arcseconds
Light gathering power: 459x
Tube length: 1100 mm
Tripod height: 710 - 1230 mm
Mount control: micro-movement knobs
Eyepiece focuser type: Rack and pinion
Eyepiece focuser diameter: 1.25 inch
Secondary mirror diameter: 45 mm
Mount: equatorial EQ3-2
Tripod: aluminum LT1
Mount weight: 7 kg
Counterweight weight: 3.2 + 1.8 kg
Weight: 19 kg
Manufacturer: Sky Watcher, Taiwan