Varrow Vesper 130 reflector, tube with alt-az mount

Specifications

Description

The Vesper 130 is a Newtonian reflector with a 130 mm parabolic mirror and a 900 mm focal length, for a focal ratio of f/6.9. That moderate ratio is forgiving: collimation tolerances are wider than in faster reflectors, and stars stay sharp across most of the field even with simple eyepieces.

At 130 mm, the aperture gathers about 3.4 times as much light as a 70 mm refractor. That makes a visible difference on faint targets. Globular clusters such as M13 and M5 begin to resolve into stars at their edges, the Ring Nebula shows its ring shape, and galaxy pairs such as M81 and M82 are easy to find under suburban skies.

The longer focal length also helps on the planets. With a 6 mm eyepiece the Vesper 130 reaches 150x, where Saturn shows the Cassini Division on a steady night and Mars shows dark markings near opposition. The 6x30 optical finder shows more stars than a red-dot finder, which helps when you star-hop to faint objects.

Both mirrors have adjustment screws, and the primary has a center spot for quick collimation with a cap or a laser. The open tube design lets the mirror cool in about 20 to 30 minutes on most nights. The tube weighs 4.4 kg, which suits light equatorial mounts as well as alt-az mounts.

The Vesper 130 is a practical choice when you want more aperture than a small refractor without the size of a Dobsonian. It is light enough to carry outside in one trip and large enough to keep you busy with Messier objects for several seasons.

About this configuration

This listing covers one specific configuration of the Varrow Vesper 130 reflector, defined by its bundle, finish, accessory kit, and edition year. The included alt-az mount moves up and down and side to side, so you point the telescope by hand without polar alignment. Manual alt-az motion suits visual observing, though you need to nudge the tube now and then to follow objects as the sky turns. Gloss white paint is easy to wipe clean, and the tube stays easy to spot in a dark yard.

Color filters from the planetary kit can bring out surface markings on Mars and the cloud belts of Jupiter. This is the 2023 edition of the Vesper line, the earliest version that is still listed in the catalog. Check the specifications table for the optical figures, since they stay the same across every configuration of the Vesper line.

What's in the box

• Optical tube with 130 mm parabolic primary mirror
• Tube rings with Vixen-style dovetail bar
• 6x30 optical finder with bracket
• Collimation cap
• Dust caps
• Alt-az mount with aluminum tripod
• 6 mm planetary eyepiece (1.25 in)
• Four color filters (1.25 in)

Compatibility notes

• Accepts standard 1.25 in eyepieces, filters, and Barlow lenses.
• The Vixen-style dovetail bar fits light equatorial and alt-az mounts rated for at least 6 kg.
• Reaches focus with DSLR cameras through a 1.25 in T-adapter.