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The Maksutov Revolution EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP If you’re looking for optical quality in a small package, consider one of these fine telescopes. /// BY STEVE EDBERG The Maksutov revolution Among the telescopes available today, the Maksutov- Cassegrain (or Maksutov, for short) ranks fourth in popularity. Russian astronomer Dmitri Maksutov (1896–1964) invented the optical design in 1944. Dutch astronomer A. Bouwers, who may have preceded Maksutov, independently developed the design. What we now call the because their slower (larger f number) Maksutov telescope is a hybrid optical sys- optics don’t require as large a secondary tem using both mirrors and a lens to pro- mirror. All other qualities being equal, a duce images at the focus. Such systems are smaller secondary mirror means that the called catadioptric. The more common viewed images will have higher contrast Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is also a cata- than through telescopes with larger second- dioptric system. ary mirrors. Contrast in the viewed image The primary difference between the two depends heavily on scattered light, and a is the corrector lens found on the “sky” end smaller secondary scatters less light. of the telescopes. Whereas a Schmidt- One concern with Maksutovs can be Cassegrain uses a thin lens shaped with a their optical alignment, or “collimation.” complex curve, the Maksutov lens is thick The corrector lens and the secondary mirror and has matching spherical curves ground attached to it must be aligned perfectly with into it. The lens is a thick shell of glass, the primary mirror or the final image will which conveniently minimizes spherical be degraded. Collimation is not easily aberration and provides sharp images. The adjusted so make sure the out-of-focus star corrector’s curvature is oriented concave images in your Mak show nicely centered out. This means the lens would hold rain if donuts at the center of the field of view. the telescope were left outdoors pointed at Astronomy evaluated Maksutov tele- the sky. The secondary mirror often is coat- scopes from Celestron, LOMO, Meade, ed directly on the inner surface of the cor- Orion, and Questar. These telescopes were rector lens. Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes tested with any eyepieces supplied with employ a cell to house the secondary mirror. them and also with some of my favorite The cell usually protrudes through a pre- eyepieces. A few of the tele- drilled hole in the corrector. scopes came with mounts With its thicker corrector, a Maksutov is (which were not evaluated) a bit heavier than a Schmidt-Cassegrain of while others were supplied the same aperture. Optically, Maksutovs are as only optical tube assem- easier to make, requiring only three spheri- blies. Mounts for this group cal surfaces to be ground and polished. The can be obtained from the secondary mirrors of Maksutovs are usually telescope source or other smaller than those on Schmidt-Cassegrains vendors. All knobs and flip controls on these telescopes Steve Edberg has a variety of telescopes so he are easy to manipulate, even can choose the right one for every occasion. His with light gloves on and wife is not amused. even on the darkest night. X © 2009 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.Astronomy.com Astele™ 133.5 $1,099.95 LOMO America, Inc. 15 East Palatine Road, Unit 104 Prospect Heights, IL 60070 [t] 847.215.8800 [w] www.lomopic.com/telescopesFrames.html LOMO America™ imports the Russian-made Astele 133.5 (the aperture in millimeters, equal to 5.3 inches) Maksutov telescope, as well as other sizes. This telescope operates at a focal ratio of 10.13, close to that of many Schmidt-Cassegrains. The faster f-ratio requires it to have a larger secondary mirror than other brands of Maksutovs with similar apertures. Its focal length is 1352mm. A 25mm Plössl eyepiece (54x) is included, along with a prism star diagonal, a T-adapter for a camera (you’ll have to provide your own T-ring), and a dew cap, making for a complete package. The finder is a gen- erous 8x40 right-angle system. I liked the tripod- mounting bracket on the base of the telescope. Although it had only one hole for a tripod, it has a dovetail cross-section that allows easy balancing on a mount specifically set up to receive the brack- et. The telescope is boxed well but it does not come with a case. ETX-125 $995 Meade Instruments Corporation 6001 Oak Canyon Irvine, CA 92618 [t] 800.626.3233 [w] www.meade.com Meade Instruments offers Maksutov telescopes in several sizes. I previously reviewed Meade’s ETX-90, so for this roundup I report on the 5-inch f/15 ETX-125EC. This telescope comes on a dedi- cated two-tined fork mount. The package includes a 26mm Plössl eyepiece, a small, right- angle finder, a tripod, and a go-to hand controller. The telescope has two exit ports for its images. The one at right angles to the optical axis is normally used with eyepieces for visual observing. The other exit port, at the back of the scope, is used with a camera for a straight- through configuration (with accessories required). Switching between optical configura- tions is easy — just turn a knob and refocus. Note that the eyepiece can end up in awkward viewing positions when the telescope and mount are used in an equatorial configuration and when you are viewing objects with high declinations. Questar 3.5” $4,050 Questar Corporation 6204 Ingham Road New Hope, PA 18938 [t] 800.247.9607 [w] www.questar-corp.com The Questar 3.5" is a gem of fine machining and optical perfection. It comes as a complete package on a two-tined fork mount and with short legs that permit tabletop use as an equatorial telescope. (It can also be tripod-mounted, alt-az, or polar/equa- NexStar 4 torial.) The package includes screw-in 16mm (81x) $479 and 24mm (54x) eyepieces, a finder, and solar fil- Celestron ters for the main telescope (sub-aperture) and 2835 Columbia Street finder all packaged in a leather carrying case. Torrance, CA 90503 The telescope has two optical exit ports. The [t] 310.328.9560 one at right angles to the optical axis is used with [w] www.celestron.com eyepieces while a camera and other visual acces- sories can be used “straight-through.” Switching Celestron’s NexStar 4 is the successor to its C90 configurations is easy — just turn a knob. Maksutov, which was available in a variety of forms. But more switching is available on the rear of This new telescope comes mounted on a single- this telescope. While eyepieces can be exchanged tined “fork” with computer control. in the usual manner, you can also turn a knob to The optical tube assembly has an aperture of 4” bring an internal 1.5x Barlow lens into position. The and is f/13. The package comes with 25mm and finder works the same way. Turning a knob moves 10mm eyepieces and a red-dot rifle-type a prism in the main telescope out of the way. You pointer/finder. now have a right-angle finder view through the The telescope has two exit ports. The one at eyepiece. The Questar 3.5" uses a separate, small right angles to the optical axis is normally used with objective lens and mirror to bring the finder’s view eyepieces, while a camera is used in the straight- of the sky into the light path. through configuration (with accessories required). Turning a large, rubber coated knob slides a mirror back and forth to switch between configurations. I didn’t have the photographic accessories to check, but I expect refocusing is also necessary when the switch is made between camera and eyepiece. You might want to get or make a tube to parfo- calize the photographic and visual foci. It should be noted that the eyepiece can end up in awkward viewing positions when the tele- scope and mount are used in an equatorial configuration with viewing towards the high declinations of your hemisphere. 84 astronomy /// october 04 Apex 127 $399 Orion Telescopes and Binoculars P.O. Box 1815 Santa Cruz, CA 95061 [t] 800.447.1001 [w] www.telescope.com Orion’s Apex 127mm Maksutov- Cassegrain optical tube assem- bly appears to be the same as its StarMax 127 that comes with a German equatorial mount (and at a lower price). Orion also markets the Apex line in 90mm (3.6-inch) and 102mm (4- inch) apertures. The Apex 127mm has a 5-inch aperture, a focal length of 1,540mm, and a photographic speed of f/12.1. It comes with a 6x26 straight- through, erect-image, achromatic finder scope, a 45° correct-image prism diagonal, 1 and a 1 ⁄4", 25mm Plössl eyepiece, which pro- vides a magnification of 62x. All this is pack- aged in a nice, roomy, padded, nylon-polyester case with pockets for accessories. The Apex 127 is connected easily to any tele- scope mount or sturdy camera tripod thanks to a built-in 1/4"-20 adapter plate. T-threads on the eyepiece adapter allow you to attach a 35mm camera body (with optional T-ring) to the tele- scope for prime focus astrophotography. Keep your eyes on the sky and renew your ASTRONOMY subscription Don’t break your link to the leading astronomy magazine on the market. Renew your subscription and continue to receive the insightful astronomical information that fills every issue: ✰ New-product listings ✰ Expert observing tips ✰ Field tests: telescopes, cameras, binoculars, eyepieces, accessories ✰ Monthly pullout star maps ✰ And exclusive online access to Star Atlas, Star Dome Plus, The Sky this Month, Ask Astro archives, videos, image galleries, product information, and more! RENEW TODAY! www.Astronomy.com/ASYRENEW Plus, why not share your enthusiasm? It’s easy to send someone a gift subscription today! Give a gift today at www.Astronomy.com/ASYGIFT CIR-ADH-09X1241RH.
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