Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian Telescope (Ruby Red)

Brilliant Design. Powerful Optics. Limitless Exploration.

Experience the night sky in style with the Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian (Ruby Red) — a special-edition telescope that combines serious optical performance with striking visual appeal. Its vibrant ruby-red optical tube houses precision-engineered optics that reveal galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planets in breathtaking clarity.

Features

• Striking Ruby-Red Optical Tube: Make a statement under the stars. The bold ruby-red finish stands out at star parties and public events while housing precision optics that perform every bit as impressively as their design suggests.
• Powerful 208mm (8") Parabolic Primary Mirror: Captures over eight times the light of a standard 3-inch telescope, revealing deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and clusters with excellent contrast and sharp detail.
• Fast f/5.9 Optics with 1219mm Focal Length: Delivers bright, detailed views ideal for both visual observing and short-exposure astrophotography of bright celestial objects. Its fast focal ratio supports shorter exposure times when imaging the Moon, planets, or prominent nebulae.
• Upgraded Eyepiece and Barlow Set: Includes a premium 70° Series 25mm wide-angle eyepiece (49x) for immersive deep-sky viewing, a 10mm Plössl eyepiece (122x) for detailed planetary observation, and a 2x Barlow lens that effectively doubles magnification — perfect for close-up lunar and planetary viewing under steady conditions.
• Precision 2" Crayford Focuser (with 1.25" Adapter): Provides smooth, backlash-free focusing even with heavy eyepieces or imaging accessories. Dual adapters ensure full compatibility with your favorite optical gear.
• Smooth, Stable Dobsonian Mount: Effortlessly follow celestial targets with intuitive push-to control. The spring-tension system maintains perfect balance, even when you attach heavier eyepieces or cameras.
• High-Reflectivity Mirror Coatings (90% with SiO₂ Overcoat): Enhances image brightness and contrast while protecting your mirrors from oxidation, humidity, and wear for years of consistent performance.
• Complete Accessory Kit: Includes everything you need to start observing and imaging: two eyepieces, 2x Barlow lens, red-dot finder, smartphone adapter, and a dust cover to keep your optics clean and protected between sessions.
• Durable Rolled-Steel Construction: Rigid and precisely aligned for long-term stability. The rolled-steel optical tube maintains collimation through transport and temperature changes.
• Portable and Practical: With a 19 lb. optical tube and 18 lb. base, this telescope is relatively easy to transport and set up — compact enough to fit in most vehicles, yet powerful enough for serious deep-sky and planetary observing.

The Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian (Ruby Red) is for you if…

• You want an eye-catching telescope that performs as impressively as it looks — ideal for public outreach, classrooms, and backyard observing.
• You’re upgrading from a smaller scope and ready to see what you’ve been missing — from spiral galaxy arms to intricate planetary detail.
• You appreciate premium accessories and want everything included — wide-field eyepiece, high-magnification optics, and a 2x Barlow lens.
• You’re eager to capture basic astrophotography with your smartphone or camera — lunar, planetary, and bright nebular images without a tracking mount.
• You value smooth, stable operation that keeps your attention on the night sky, not on adjusting your equipment.

Some telescopes are designed to look good. Others are built to perform. The Explore Scientific 8" f/5.9 Dobsonian (Ruby Red) does both — combining elegant design with the optical power to take your astronomy experience to the next level.

Its 208mm parabolic mirror gathers enough light to reveal distant galaxies, bright nebulae, and fine lunar textures in exquisite detail. With a 1219mm focal length and fast f/5.9 optics, it delivers bright, moderately wide fields ideal for deep-sky exploration and high-contrast planetary viewing.

Every detail is engineered for ease and precision. The smooth Dobsonian base moves effortlessly by hand, while the spring-tension system keeps the optical tube perfectly balanced — even when you add heavier eyepieces or cameras. Setup is simple, control is intuitive, and the observing experience is seamless.

The upgraded eyepiece set transforms every session into a new adventure. Sweep through the Milky Way with the immersive 25mm 70° eyepiece, zoom in on Saturn’s rings with the 10mm Plössl, or double your magnification with the 2x Barlow for high-resolution lunar and planetary views.

When you’re ready to share what you see, the included smartphone adapter makes it easy to capture and share bright targets — from the Moon to Jupiter’s bands — using short exposures and your phone’s camera. No complex setup, no expensive imaging rig required.

Owning this special-edition Dobsonian isn’t just about what you see — it’s about how you experience astronomy. It’s the thrill of discovering hidden galaxies, the pride of owning a precision instrument, and the joy of connecting with the cosmos through a telescope that’s as beautiful as the universe itself.