Skywatcher HAC125 Cassegrain Astrograph 125 mm F/2

Skywatcher HAC125 Cassegrain Astrograph 125 mm F/2

Astrograph Sky-Watcher Honders Advanced Catadioptric 125, the new optical tube dedicated to the world of astrophotographers, joins the range of optical tubes currently in the catalogue. The HAC125 is Sky-Watcher's first telescope exclusively dedicated to astrophotography and is positioned as the ideal and definitive instrument for wide-field photography with astronomical cameras.

The innovative Honders Advanced Catadioptric optical scheme is characterised by an aspherical primary mirror with high reflectivity and a corrector with multi-treated surfaces that can best correct the main optical aberrations, thus providing pinpoint, bright and sharp wide-field images.

The ultra-fast focal ratio of F/2 guarantees exceptional light gathering in very short shutter speeds. With a focal length of 250 mm and a diameter of 125 mm, it will be possible to capture incredible details of galaxies, nebulae, star fields, etc. with just a few seconds of shutter speed, even without the need for self-guidance.

The shutter time required to capture the same amount of light compared to standard telescopes with focal ratios of F/6.3 is about ten times less: with only 60 seconds of exposure using the Sky-Watcher HAC125 astrograph it will be possible to capture the same amount of light that an F/6.3 telescope would obtain in a full 10 minutes of exposure. The result: bright photographs and a high signal-to-noise ratio with a very short exposure time.

The generous diameter combined with the corrected field of view of 16 mm allows detailed, sharp and defined shots of large celestial, galactic and nebular fields.

Focusing is done by simply rotating the camera mount located in the centre of the correcting lens. The lens hood is removable to facilitate connection between the optical tube and the astronomical camera, but also serves as an anti-fog band. The Sky-Watcher HAC125 optical tube has a Vixen/CG5 type dovetail bar with two rings that wrap around the tube and ensure stability and no flexing. Also available on the optical tube is a Mini Vixen finder mount, which is useful for correctly centring the telescope's field of view.