Tube Takahashi Epsilon 130D (OTA) Tube Only

The Epsilon series catadioptric telescopes are wide-field astrographic telescopes with hyperbolic mirror. The rack and pinion incorporates a corrector to provide a flat field with stars less than 10 μm at the edge of the 44 mm image circle.

The Epsilon-130D has an aperture ratio of FD 3.3. Its very short focal length of 430 mm offers a field of 5.9°, making it ideal for imaging large stellar expanses. Its secondary mirror is mounted on a reinforced spider to prevent any bending. The rack is equipped with a rotating collar for photographic framing.

The collimation of the Epsilon 130D is particularly easy, as it is not necessary to collimate on a star. The central optical axis is represented by markings on the two mirrors. Takahashi has designed a simple collimation eyepiece system specially adapted to the Epsilon that allows the mirrors to be adjusted in full daylight, which is a great advantage over a classic telescope.

Regardless of its photographic qualities, the Epsilon is a first-rate wide-field observing telescope. Observing star clusters and galaxies will give you intense pleasure due to the sharpness of the stars. It proves to be a fabulous instrument for deep sky and comet hunting. The observation of the Lagoon and Trifid nebulae in the same field is extraordinary and awe-inspiring.

Pleiades (M45) by Tommy Nawratil (Vienna, Austria)

Exposure of 6.5 hours with a Canon EOS6Da digital camera (400 ISO) on the Takahashi Epsilon-130D telescope. Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount. Autoguided with Lacerta MGEN on 9x50 finder.

(photo used with permission of the author)

NGC1333 by Tommy Nawratil (Weppersdorf, Austria)

Exposure of 10.8 hours with a ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool camera on the Takahashi Epsilon-130D telescope. LRGB + SHO 6 nm filters Optolong. Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount. Autoguiding with Lacerta MGEN on 9x50 finder.

(photo used with permission of the author)

Telescope Characteristics Takahashi Epsilon-130D Telescope

Modified Newton hyperbolic optical formula

Optics Hyperbolic primary mirror + flat secondary mirror + corrector

Useful diameter 130 mm

At native focus

Focal length 430 mm

Relative aperture F/D 3.3

Diameter of corrected image circle 44 mm

Backfocus 56.2 mm

Mechanical characteristics

Telescope characteristics Takahashi Epsilon-130D Telescope characteristics

Tube length 460 mm

Tube diameter 166 mm

Weight 4.9 kg

Focal point diagram of the telescope Takahashi Epsilon-130D