Astro-Tech AT 130 Quick Start Manual

Thank you for choosing this Astro-Tech AT130 FPL-53
apochromatic ED triplet refractor. Its premium optics, with all-
Ohara glass, will provide you with a lifetime of high-
performance observing and imaging.
Astro-Tech AT 130 Apochromatic ED Triplet Refractor Specifications
Aperture .......................................... 130mm (5.12")
Focal Length ...............................................780mm
Focal Ratio ........................................................ f/6
Objective Type .......... collimatable air-spaced triplet;
all Ohara glass, including an FPL-53 ED element
Optical Coatings ........................... fully multicoated
Resolving Power
(Dawes' Limit)
Visual Limiting Magnitude .............. 13.1 maximum
Light Grasp
(versus the eye)
Field Stops .......................... three knife-edge baffles
Focuser ............ 2.7" dual-speed linear drive Crayford
with 10:1 reduction ratio fine focus; 2" and 1.25"
compression ring accessory holders; 360° rotating
focuser with separate 360° camera angle rotation
Focuser Travel ............ 80mm (3.15") with mm scale
Back Focus
(drawtube retracted)
PARTS OF THE AT130
1.25" accessory
holder
lock knob
Lock knob for 360°
Fine
focus
Right coarse
knob
focus knob
2" accessory
holder lock knob
Dust cover
Your Astro-Tech AT130 refractor is usable with any 1.25" or 2"
eyepiece, from a 40mm for the lowest practical magnification (19.5x)
to a 2.5mm (312x) for very high power use. A 2" compression ring
accessory holder on the focuser and a separate 1.25" compression
ring accessory holder let you use either 1.25" or 2" star diagonals
and eyepieces with no other adapter needed.
Mounting your AT130: A stable astronomical mount is essential
for best viewing with the 16.5 pound AT130 (19.75 pounds with
mounting rings, but without star diagonal or eyepiece). Your scope is
not supplied with mounting rings, but optional 142mm i. d. split rings
and a variety of dovetail plates are readily available from your Astro-
Tech dealer for installing your AT130 on the mount of your choice.
astro-tech
A T 1 3 0
....... 0.89 arc seconds
.............................. 345x
........... 145mm (5.7")
Lock knob for 360°
camera angle rotation
focuser rotation
Lock knob for focuser
drawtube
Lock knob for
dew shield
Brass compression ring
1.25" accessory
lock knob
from Astronomy Technologies
This instruction sheet, and the accompanying collimation
sheet, will help you get the most out of your new refractor.
Please familiarize yourself with your telescope's parts and
functions before using it for the first time.
Finder ...... none; mounting point provided for optional
Astro-Tech multiple reticle finder or similar finder
Dew Shield ...................... retractable, with lock knob
Dew Shield Diameter ......................... 168mm o. d.
Objective Lens Cover ......................... slip-on metal
Tube Diameter .................................... 142mm o. d.
Tube Length
Tube Length
Optical Tube Weight ................ 16.55 lbs. (7.52 kg);
Case .................. 11.95 lb. (5.43 kg) aluminum-frame
foam-fitted lockable hard case, with carrying handle
Case Dimensions ........................ 33" x 10.25" x 10"
Lowest Usable Power ......... 19.5x (40mm eyepiece)
Highest Practical Power ........ 195x (4mm eyepiece)
Theoretical Maximum ........ 312x (2.5mm eyepiece)
Lock knob for
Retractable
360° focuser rotation
dew shield
Mounting point for
optional finder
Left coarse
focus knob
Lock knob for 360°
rotatable camera
angle adjuster
1.25" accessory
holder lock knob
1.25"
accessory
holder
Astronomical observing: The theoretical maximum usable power
available from your AT130 is 312x, although this requires a 2.5mm
eyepiece that provides a very narrow and dim 0.42mm diameter exit
pupil. Such high powers are within your scope's capabilities, but require
truly excellent seeing conditions and the patience to wait for those
conditions to make their brief and infrequent appearances.
A more practical maximum magnification for astronomical viewing
with your AT130 would be 195x, using a 4mm eyepiece.
Keep in mind that seeing conditions play an important role in how
high a magnification you can use on any given night. Only very good
seeing conditions (clear skies and calm air) will support viewing at
195x and above. Under less than ideal conditions, powers in the 130x
..... 27.25" (692mm)
(lens shade retracted)
........ 32" (812mm)
(lens shade extended)
19.75 lbs. (8.98 kg) with tube rings
Focusing
scale on
focuser
drawtube
1.25"
accessory
2" accessory
holder
holder
1 of 3
focuser
mounting
screws
(do not
adjust)
Fine
focus
knob
Right
coarse
focus
knob
2" accessory
holder lock knob