Skip to content
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Explore Scientific Sidara Plus 127 Refractor Telescope

Explore Scientific Sidara Plus 127 Refractor Telescope

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-AR127820-MAZ01
$899.99 - $899.99
$899.99
$899.99 - $899.99
$899.99
Price Match Policy!
  • 127mm (5-inch) Refractor Optics
  • 820mm Focal Length
  • Lightweight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount
  • Dual-Axis Slow-Motion Controls
  • SkyAssist Digital Guidance Compatibility
Backordered
Request Stock Alert
Availability Info
FREE Shipping in CONUS
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Sidara Plus 127 Refractor Telescope

    The Sidara Plus 127 telescope system combines a large 127mm objective lens and an 820mm focal length to deliver the bright, high-contrast views characteristic of a refractor, but with the light-gathering capacity to reach beyond the solar system. This package is built around a lightweight, grab-and-go Nano alt-azimuth mount, creating a highly portable setup that encourages spontaneous nights of observing.

    127mm Aperture and 820mm Focal Length: Bright, Detailed Views

    The core of the Sidara Plus 127 is its large 5-inch air-spaced objective. This aperture gathers significant light, resolving fine detail on the lunar surface and revealing subtle structures in Jupiter's cloud belts and Saturn's rings. The 820mm focal length creates a versatile instrument, capable of providing both wide-field views of star clusters and nebulae, and higher magnification for planetary observation.

    For deep-sky targets, the 127mm aperture makes a noticeable difference. Globular clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13) begin to resolve into individual stars, and the brighter structures within the Orion Nebula (M42) become clearly visible from suburban skies.

    Nano Alt-Az Mount: Portable and Precise Slow-Motion Control

    Designed for ease of use, the Nano mount is the ideal platform for this optical tube. Its lightweight construction makes the entire Sidara Plus 127 system easy to carry and set up in minutes. Despite its portability, the mount provides a stable foundation for visual observation.

    Dual-axis slow-motion controls are critical for a satisfying viewing experience. As the Earth rotates, celestial objects drift out of the field of view; these controls allow you to make fine, smooth adjustments to track them effortlessly. This eliminates the frustrating jitters of manual pushing, keeping your target perfectly centered.

    SkyAssist Compatibility: Guided Celestial Navigation

    The Sidara Plus 127 mount is compatible with the SkyAssist system, a digital tool that helps you locate objects in the night sky. Instead of spending valuable time hunting for faint targets, SkyAssist guides you, dramatically reducing search time and increasing your time spent observing.

    This feature transforms the user experience, especially for those new to navigating the night sky or observers wanting to quickly locate challenging objects. It bridges the gap between a fully manual telescope and a more complex GoTo system, offering guidance without sacrificing the hands-on feel of traditional observing.

  • What celestial objects can I see with the Sidara Plus 127?

    The Sidara Plus 127's 127mm aperture is large enough to show significant detail on the Moon and planets, including Jupiter's cloud bands and Saturn's rings. It also excels on deep-sky objects, resolving bright star clusters, showing structure in nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42), and revealing the faint glow of many galaxies.

    How does the Sidara Plus 127's Nano mount improve observing?

    The Nano mount provides a stable, lightweight platform that is easy to set up. Its key feature is the slow-motion controls on both axes. These allow you to smoothly track objects as they move across the sky, a major improvement over simpler mounts that require you to manually nudge the telescope.

    What is SkyAssist and how does it work with the Sidara Plus 127?

    SkyAssist is a digital guidance system that connects to the mount. It helps you find celestial objects by providing directional cues, essentially acting as a digital finderscope. This dramatically speeds up the process of locating targets, letting you spend more time observing them through the Sidara Plus 127's eyepiece.

    Is the Sidara Plus 127 a good "grab-and-go" telescope?

    Yes, this is one of its primary design goals. The combination of a powerful 127mm refractor with the lightweight Nano mount makes the Sidara Plus 127 exceptionally portable and quick to deploy for spontaneous observing sessions, whether in a backyard or at a dark-sky site.

    How will the Sidara Plus 127 perform on a target like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    The Sidara Plus 127's combination of a 127mm aperture and 820mm focal length is well-suited for large targets like the Andromeda Galaxy. You will easily see the bright, concentrated core and the extended glow of the galactic disk. From a dark site, you may also be able to spot its two companion galaxies, M32 and M110.

    Is the Sidara Plus 127 suitable for astrophotography?

    The Sidara Plus 127 is primarily a visual instrument. While you can take excellent photos of the Moon and bright planets, its alt-azimuth mount does not track in an arc to compensate for Earth's rotation, which is required for long-exposure deep-sky imaging. For visual observing, however, the mount is exceptionally stable and easy to use.

  • Aperture 127mm
    Focal Length 820mm
    Optical Design Refractor
    Mount Type Alt-Azimuth with Slow-Motion Controls
  • Explore Scientific Warranty