With the Maksutov Newton MN-152 David H. Levy Comet Hunter and the EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GoTo mount by EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC, you get an excellent telescope set specifically designed for wide-field observations and astrophotography. The highly corrected Maksutov-Newton offers much sharper images than classic Newtonian telescopes, making it ideal for visual observations and digital astrophotography. The outstanding mount with a precise GoTo system and the intuitive ExploreStars app ensures accurate tracking and easy navigation of the night sky. This is the perfect equipment for ambitious amateur astronomers who value the highest image quality and easy operation!

The Telescope

The Maksutov Newton MN-152 David H. Levy Comet Hunter is a highly corrected optical system for wide-field observation and astrophotography, developed in collaboration with the famous "comet hunter" David H. Levy. The Maksutov-Newton system, by design, has advantages and disadvantages compared to the classic Newtonian telescope. Aside from the higher cost, its drawback is the heavier weight due to the thick meniscus lens at the front opening. The main advantage of the Maksutov-Newton over the classic Newtonian is its edge sharpness. Newtonian telescopes are only sharp in the centre of the image, while off-centre they show the prominent coma, which distorts the star point into a tail, like a small comet, causing a loss of sharpness and contrast. The Maksutov-Newton significantly reduces this error, making it sharper for most purposes, both for visual observation and photography with digital SLR cameras. The Maksutov-Newton is therefore an almost ideal all-round telescope, providing sharp images across the field without additional correctors.

The Mount

The EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GoTo mount is equipped with a modern and very precise GoTo control system. It consists of a robust Wi-Fi controller unit that provides all necessary interfaces. The NEMA-11 stepper motors are directly connected to this unit by cable, and an ST-4 compatible autoguider port is also included. Additionally, the system supports microstep operation for precise tracking.

Intuitive control via app and graphical star map
The dedicated ExploreStars app for the PMC-Eight system features an intuitive user interface with a well-designed graphical star map. All current alignment stars for GoTo system initialisation and all database objects are displayed as a star map with additional text information. All of these objects can be easily viewed and selected.

Powerful controller unit with Open GoTo for customisation
The heart of the controller unit is a completely autonomous 2-channel multiprocessor with 8 CPUs and a Wi-Fi Ethernet 10/100 adapter with IP functionality. This allows remote operation via browser, ASCOM, app, or serial connection. With Open GoTo, you can also write your own firmware and load it into the controller unit, allowing for custom adjustments to the device’s functionality and the creation of custom object lists.

Polar finder included
The included and pre-installed polar finderscope allows for quick and precise polar alignment, enabling long exposure times without unwanted star trails. The integrated LED illumination unit enhances the user experience with the polar finderscope.


FEATURES TELESCOPE
 

• Aperture: 152 mm / Focal length: 731 mm / F-ratio: 4.8
• Total length with dew shield: 825 mm
• Eyepiece holder diameter: 2" and 1.25"
• Universal 44-mm dovetail plate with stainless steel rail (compatible with LXD75/Great Polaris/EQ5)
• Total length including dew shield: 825 mm
• Total weight including tube rings, handle, dew shield, and finderscope: 7.9 kg

FEATURES MOUNT
 

• Powerful PMC-8 Open GoTo system
• User-friendly and graphically appealing ExploreStars OpenGoto app
• Wi-Fi control via tablet, notebook, or desktop PC with at least 7" display and Wi-Fi functionality (not included)
• Compatible operating systems: WIN8.1, WIN10/11, iOS, or Android 4.4 and higher
• Classic control via direction buttons or joystick for guiding, centring, correcting, and moving via touchscreen
• Intuitive 2-star and 3-star alignment for GoTo system initialisation
• Multiprocessor microcontroller with 8 CPUs
• Micro-stepper NEMA-11 motors
• High-precision and quiet belt drive
• ST-4 compatible autoguider port
• ASCOM drivers available, also supports pulse guiding
• Option to create custom firmware and object lists and upload them to the PMC-8
• GPS compatible / Settings depend on the computer or tablet in use
• Power supply via 12V DC, with maximum current draw of 1.6 amps under full load

SCOPE OF DELIVERY
 

• Carbon fibre optical tube (CF)
• 2" focuser with 10:1 reduction
• Carbon dew shield with dust cover
• Telescope rings with dovetail
• 52° LER 30 mm eyepiece
• 8x50 illuminated finderscope
• EXOS2-GT mount with OpenGoTo PMC-8
• Stainless steel tripod with built-in bubble level
• 2 x 4.5 kg counterweights
• Polar finderscope with illumination unit
• 12V / 2A power supply
• ExploreStars app via software download
• Instruction manual