Skywatcher 150mm refractor or the Celestron 8" SCT ??

[Cos-Mossy]

hi everyone:icon_salut: iam wanting to purchase a scope just for the planets to place on my HEQ5 and am looking at either the skywatcher 150mm refractor or the Celestron 8" SCT , which one would perform the best on planets ?? thanks

[John]

Of those two (both of which I've owned in the past) I'd go for the SCT. The big refractors are fun but the chromatic aberration (CA) you get at F/8 does reduce the planetary resolution and contrast and the long, heavy tube puts more strain on the mount. You will need some dew control for the SCT and to keep it in good collimation though, neither of which are particularly difficult.

Welcome to SGL by the way !

[Cos-Mossy]

hi and thanks i also wondered which would be best on planets the Celestron 8"stc or Skywatcher explorer 200p ??

[Peter Drew]

I still have all 3 options you mention, each has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall, I'd favour the 8"SCT.

[Cos-Mossy]

I still have all 3 options you mention, each has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall, I'd favour the 8"SCT.

thanks