SkyWatcher Teleskops Sky-Watcher MAK 90 Virtuoso

Virtuoso telescope and pan holder

The Virtuoso telescope is an innovative and unprecedented device with broad capabilities. The most important innovation is the assembly. Together with the optical tube, i.e. a telescope made in the Maksutov system, it is a construction that combines the features of a convenient, portable telescope for beginners, as well as a feature-rich photographic tripod that allows time-lapse, photographing selected objects in a certain order, or even taking full spherical panoramas.
Essentially, it is also a computerized photographic head with a precise electric drive.

Application of Virtuoso in astronomy

Virtuoso is a full-fledged astronomical telescope in the Maksutov system, whose observation follows the movement of the celestial sphere. Despite its modest size, the telescope is perfect for simple astronomical observations.

Like every Maksutov camera, it features excellent image sharpness and no chromatic aberration. It can be safely said that this telescope with a 90 mm aperture provides 100% detail. The kit includes 2 eyepieces with focal lengths of 25 mm and 10 mm. The eyepieces provide 50x and 125x magnification and are sufficient for observing the Moon and basic planetary observations. The eyepieces allow you to see details such as Jupiter's equatorial belts, Saturn's rings, or Mars's polar caps. The telescope can be expanded with additional eyepieces and filters, thus expanding its capabilities.

The greatest advantage of the Virtuoso telescope is the ability to track astronomical objects. This is an advanced Sky-Watcher patented system of precise stepper motors and two-axis encoders. It can track an astronomical object by rotating the telescope around both axes. It can also work with SynScan AZ remote controls, known from large Dobsonian telescopes. By equipping the Virtuoso with such a remote control, the user has access to a database of tens of thousands of astronomical objects that they can independently find and observe using the telescope. This is the only telescope in this price class offering such a capability!

Although it is a device with a control system and many functions, it does not require any additional knowledge or skills to operate properly. After aligning the telescope and entering the geographic coordinates into the system, the telescope begins tracking astronomical objects by itself. If you have ever dreamed of observing through a telescope but did not know whether you could do it, Virtuoso will not disappoint you. Another advantage is its small dimensions. The Virtuoso telescope fits on a table and is several tens of centimeters tall. It weighs a few kilograms, and its size will not cause problems for anyone.

Application of Virtuoso in photography

In addition to the Maksutov optical tube, the kit also includes a sturdy camera holder. This holder allows it to be used as a portable, automatic tripod intended only for photography and multimedia needs. Therefore, it can be said that it is a computerized photography head.
Editing automation allows for time-lapse videos, recording films with smooth control, cyclic photography of several programmed objects, and, most interestingly, panoramic photography, including 360-degree spherical photography.

The holder allowsfilming in time-lapse mode.The holder allows smooth and slow rotation between 6 programmed points. Rotation can be performed at various speeds, the fastest rotation speed is 2.5 degrees per second, and at the slowest speed the head makes a full revolution in one day.

The Virtuoso holder is also suitable fortaking panoramas –both in the classic way, rotating horizontally, and in parallel strips. The procedure for preparing the holder for panoramic photography is reduced to determining the lens's field of view and defining the horizontal and vertical rotation limits. After setting the appropriate limits, a full spherical panorama can be created – the holder will photograph the entire surroundings.

Another function iscyclic photography of programmed objects .
The holder can precisely remember the positions of 6 objects. Simply point the camera at the object, press the button combination, and the object's position will be remembered. When the cyclic photography process starts, the camera moves between successive positions, and upon reaching a specific position, it pauses for a moment, and the attached cable triggers the camera shutter. The sequence is repeated until it is stopped by the corresponding key combination. Thanks to this solution, we can cyclically photograph several selected objects.

The Virtuoso holder has a 2.5 mm mini-jack release cable. The cable is compatible with all Canon cameras from the three- and four-digit series (300D, 400D, 1000D, 550D, etc.).A release hose compatible with another system can be used.

The Virtuoso holder is compatible with the AZ version of SynScan GoTo controllers, identical to those used in large GoTo devices. When such a controller is connected, celestial bodies can be searched automatically.
using a broad programmed database of objects, more than 42,000 objects!

Virtuoso can be mounted on a photographic tripod with a load capacity of approx. 10 kg. 3/8 inch mounting. The kit also includes a 1/4 inch reducer.

To connect the tube to the camera, you will need the appropriate camera T-ring.