Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian Telescope

The Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian delivers 8-inch deep-sky performance in the most straightforward, value-focused package available. Its 208mm parabolic mirror gathers over 800 times the light of the unaided eye — enough to reveal spiral galaxy arms, nebula structure, Saturn's rings and Cassini Division, and fine lunar craters and rilles. This is the most direct path to serious aperture: proven optics, a rock-solid Dobsonian base, and a quality eyepiece to get you observing immediately.

Key Features

• 208mm parabolic mirror — over 800x the light of the unaided eye, resolving galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters with sharp contrast and fine detail
• Fast f/5.9 optics — bright, wide fields at 1219mm focal length, well suited for deep-sky sweeping and high-contrast planetary views
• Smooth 2" Crayford focuser — backlash-free focusing with a 1.25" adapter for full eyepiece compatibility
• Spring-tension Dobsonian base — stays balanced when you swap eyepieces or add accessories, with smooth push-to tracking
• Durable rolled-steel tube — rigid construction holds collimation through transport and temperature swings
• Under 38 lbs total — tube (19 lb) and base (18 lb) are manageable for one-person setup and car loading
• Simple two-piece design — tube lifts off the base; no truss assembly, no alignment steps between you and the sky
• Smartphone adapter included — start capturing the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn with your phone right away

Ideal For

• Upgraders from smaller scopes ready for the jump to 8" aperture and the deep-sky detail it unlocks
• Observers who already own eyepieces and want maximum optics per dollar without paying for accessories they'll replace
• Visual deep-sky enthusiasts chasing galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters from backyard or dark-sky sites
• Simplicity-first astronomers — no GoTo alignment, no truss setup, just set down the base, drop in the tube, and observe
• Dark-sky travelers who need a powerful scope that breaks into two portable pieces for the drive to a remote site