Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope

See Deep-Sky Wonders Others Can’t – 16” Aperture Power That Travels Easily

Wish you could see fainter stars and galaxies? The Explore Scientific 16" Dobsonian Telescope delivers breathtaking detail and edge-to-edge sharpness, without complex setups or vibrations.

Features

• Massive 16-Inch Aperture: Captures over 2,400 times more light than the naked eye for stunning deep-sky views.
• f/4.5 Focal Ratio & 1826mm Focal Length: Perfectly balanced for both visual observations and astrophotography, delivering sharp, detailed images.
• Dual-Speed Helical Focuser: Achieve precise, backlash-free focusing with 10:1 control, ideal for high-precision observations and astrophotography.
• Tool-Free, Portable Truss Tube Design: Easy disassembly for hassle-free transport, perfect for dark-sky adventures and small vehicles.
• Quick Collimation: Easily adjust primary and secondary mirrors without tools for optimal alignment—single-person operation guaranteed.
• Stable Rocker Box: Provides a steady platform with minimal vibration, ensuring smooth, high-magnification tracking.
• Dual Mirror Cooling Fans: Quickly adjust mirror temperature to match surroundings, reducing distortion for sharper images.
• Smooth Altitude and Azimuth Bearings: Ensure effortless movement and precise tracking of celestial objects for seamless observations.
• Optional Coma Corrector Compatibility: Enhances edge-to-edge sharpness for wide-field viewing, perfect for astrophotographers.

The Explore Scientific 16" Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope is for you if…

• You’re a Deep-Sky Observer: Want to see galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters in stunning detail? This telescope’s massive 16-inch aperture is designed to reveal the faintest celestial wonders.
• You’re Passionate About Astrophotography: With its f/4.5 focal ratio and precise helical focuser, this telescope is ideal for capturing high-quality images of the night sky.
• Portability is Key: If you love taking your telescope to remote dark-sky locations, the lightweight truss tube design and tool-free disassembly make transport a breeze.
• You Want Hassle-Free Setup: Enjoy user-friendly features like quick collimation and stable adjustments without needing extra tools, making setup fast and frustration-free.
• You Seek Maximum Aperture for Your Investment: If you’re looking for the best aperture-to-dollar ratio in a high-performance telescope, this model delivers serious value.
• You Value Advanced Features: If cooling fans, smooth bearings, and coma corrector compatibility are on your wishlist, this telescope has all the advanced features to elevate your stargazing experience.
• You Appreciate Precision Control: The dual-speed focuser and large, smooth bearings offer effortless fine-tuning for even the most demanding astronomers.

The Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope is designed for serious astronomers and astrophotographers who demand both power and convenience. Featuring a massive 16-inch (406mm) primary mirror, this telescope collects over 2,400 times more light than the human eye, allowing you to see faint celestial objects that are otherwise invisible. Its theoretical limiting magnitude of 15.74 means you’ll easily observe dim galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, offering breathtaking detail even in deep-sky observations. The telescope’s f/4.5 focal ratio and 1826mm focal length strike an ideal balance between providing high magnification and wide-field views, perfect for capturing distant planets as well as larger objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or the Orion Nebula.

Portability is no longer a barrier with this large-aperture telescope. Its truss tube design allows you to break down the telescope into smaller components for easy transport. The cage assembly weighs just 8 lbs, while the mirror box comes in at 66 lbs—manageable for a telescope of this size and power. The truss poles are 55.1 inches long and only 1 inch in diameter, allowing them to fit into compact vehicles with ease, so you can bring the telescope to remote, dark-sky locations without needing a large vehicle. Even with these transport-friendly features, the telescope's rocker box and oversized bearings provide a stable platform for smooth and precise tracking, even at high magnifications.

When it comes to setup, you’ll appreciate the tool-free collimation that allows for easy alignment of both the primary and secondary mirrors. The intuitive adjustment knobs make fine-tuning the mirrors a breeze, even for a single user. This ensures you can quickly optimize the telescope’s performance without spending hours fiddling with complicated tools. The dual radial cooling fans mounted on the primary mirror accelerate temperature stabilization, reducing the time you need to wait before you can start observing. With these fans in place, you can avoid image distortion caused by thermal differences between the mirror and the surrounding air, ensuring sharper images even during early observation sessions.

For astrophotographers, the 10:1 dual-speed helical focuser offers unmatched control and precision. This design eliminates the backlash that plagues traditional rack-and-pinion focusers, allowing you to make ultra-fine adjustments with ease. Whether you’re honing in on the intricate details of Saturn’s rings or capturing a wide-field shot of a star cluster, this focuser guarantees tack-sharp images. The telescope’s coma corrector compatibility means you can achieve pinpoint stars across the entire field of view—perfect for those aiming to capture wide-field images without the distortion often seen at the edges in fast f/4.5 systems.

This telescope’s robust rocker box is engineered for stability, even during high-magnification observations. The large altitude and azimuth bearings ensure smooth and controlled movements, so you can effortlessly track celestial objects as they move across the night sky. Whether you're manually following the moon or panning across a dense star field, the motion is fluid and precise, without jerky interruptions that can ruin your view or your astrophotography shots.

What truly sets the Explore Scientific 16" Dobsonian apart is its ability to deliver top-tier performance while offering exceptional value for your investment. This telescope brings together high-performance optics, portability, and advanced features, all at a price that’s competitive with smaller, less-capable telescopes. You’re getting a theoretical Rayleigh limit of 0.34 arc seconds, providing the resolution needed to separate close double stars or resolve fine planetary details. Plus, with its 2-inch focuser barrel, you have the flexibility to use a wide range of eyepieces and accessories to customize your viewing or imaging experience.

This telescope is for those who refuse to compromise—whether you’re chasing faint deep-sky objects, seeking to capture stunning astrophotography images, or simply want a telescope that’s easy to transport without sacrificing performance. The Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope is the perfect choice for serious astronomers who want powerful optics and convenience in one package. It’s an investment in your passion for the night sky, giving you access to professional-grade performance that will elevate your observing experience for years to come.

Explore the Universe in Stunning Detail – See What Others Can’t

With the Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope, you can unlock the hidden wonders of the night sky that are invisible to smaller scopes. Its powerful 16-inch aperture reveals intricate details of distant galaxies, such as the arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) or the core of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). You'll experience the vibrant colors of nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42) and capture star clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13) in breathtaking clarity. From the faint glow of planetary nebulae to sharp lunar craters and Saturn’s rings, this telescope allows you to see objects in incredible detail, whether you're observing our solar system or venturing deep into space.

Everything You Need to Start Exploring the Night Sky Right Away

The Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope comes with all the essential accessories to make your observing sessions seamless from the start. The package includes a Two-Speed 2" Rack & Pinion Focuser with a 1.25" Adapter, allowing you to switch between different eyepieces with precision and ease, ensuring sharp focus for both wide-field and high-magnification views. The LED Red Dot Finder helps you quickly and accurately locate celestial objects, making star-hopping simpler than ever. To ensure your mirrors are always perfectly aligned, the Collimation Assist Tool takes the guesswork out of mirror alignment, giving you optimal image quality every time.

For better light control and contrast, the Flexible Lightweight Light Baffle blocks stray light, allowing for clearer and more immersive views, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The Two Primary Mirror Fans rapidly adjust the mirror’s temperature to match your environment, minimizing distortion and letting you observe sooner. Everything is backed by clear and detailed Instructions, so you can easily set up and get started right away, even if you're new to telescopes. These included accessories ensure you’re fully equipped to explore the cosmos from your very first night.

Enhance Your Stargazing Experience with Recommended Accessories

To get the most out of your Explore Scientific 16" f/4.5 Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope, consider adding a few recommended accessories that elevate your observations and astrophotography to the next level. The Coma Corrector is essential for ensuring edge-to-edge sharpness, particularly when using wide-field eyepieces or capturing astrophotographs. It eliminates the natural distortion (coma) that can appear in fast f/4.5 systems, giving you crisp, pinpoint stars across the entire field of view.

For extended observing sessions, the 12V Battery Power Supply for Dobsonians is a must-have. This reliable power source keeps your primary mirror cooling fans running smoothly, so you can stay focused on the night sky without worrying about losing power at critical moments. Finally, protect your optics and block stray light with the 16" Dobsonian Shroud. This lightweight yet durable cover wraps around the open truss tube, improving contrast and preventing unwanted reflections from interfering with your views. These recommended accessories are designed to maximize your telescope’s performance, providing a truly enhanced and uninterrupted stargazing experience.

Browse the Explore Scientific Truss Tube Dobsonian series: 10" | 12" | 20"