Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Telescope

The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ is a quality reflector telescope for more serious beginning stargazers. Its fast parabolic mirror gathers ample light, revealing details in deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae that smaller telescopes miss.
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Engineered for Deep-Sky Exploration

Built for serious beginners, the SpaceProbe 130ST combines a quality 130mm parabolic mirror with a stable equatorial mount. This combination delivers bright, sharp views and smooth tracking, providing a solid platform for exploring the night sky.
A detailed studio shot of the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope, highlighting its optical tube and equatorial mount.

See Deep-Sky Objects with Clarity

Experience the thrill of exploring deep-sky wonders like galaxies and nebulae with a telescope designed for clarity and performance. The SpaceProbe 130ST delivers bright, detailed views that reward your curiosity about the cosmos.
Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope aimed at a starry night sky, showcasing its parabolic mirror's ability to capture deep-sky objects.

Fast Parabolic Mirror Optics

The fast f/5 focal ratio gathers light efficiently, making faint nebulae and galaxies brighter and more detailed in your eyepiece for rewarding deep-sky observing sessions.

Close-up of the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST equatorial mount, highlighting its smooth motion controls for tracking celestial objects.

Smooth Equatorial Mount Tracking

The sturdy equatorial mount allows smooth, precise tracking of celestial objects as they move across the night sky, keeping your target centered for extended viewing.

The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope eyepieces and smartphone adapter laid out on a dark surface, ready for observation.

Versatile Eyepiece Selection

Includes quality 25mm and 10mm eyepieces to provide both wide-field views and higher magnification, giving you versatility right out of the box for different objects.

An Orion star map and moon map unfolded next to the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope tube.

Guides for Sky Exploration

The included star and moon maps help you navigate the night sky, find interesting targets, and understand what you are observing through the telescope.

A person holding a smartphone attached to the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope eyepiece, capturing an image of the moon.

Smartphone Astrophotography Ready

A smartphone adapter lets you capture and share your observations, documenting your discoveries and the beautiful views through the telescope's optics.

Ideal For

Perfect Stargazing Scenarios

Serious Beginning Stargazers

Ideal for the dedicated beginner ready to move beyond basic telescopes, offering the light-gathering power needed to start exploring galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters in detail.

Deep-Sky Object Observers

Excellent for hobbyists who want to observe deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula, where the fast f/5 mirror provides bright, satisfying views.

Educational Science Tool

A valuable educational tool for students and families interested in science and astronomy, providing hands-on experience with optics and celestial observation.

Portable Intermediate Instrument

Suitable for intermediate astronomers looking for a portable, grab-and-go telescope with good performance for quick observing sessions or as a secondary instrument.

Gift for Astronomy Enthusiasts

A thoughtful gift for astronomy enthusiasts, offering a significant step up in capability and a comprehensive kit to inspire continued exploration of the night sky.

Backyard Astronomy Hobby

Designed for regular backyard observing, providing the stability and optics needed to enjoy the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings, and countless stars from home.

Getting Started Guide

Setup and First Light Steps

Follow these practical steps to get your Orion SpaceProbe 130ST set up and observing the night sky. From unboxing to your first celestial target, this guide will help you begin your stargazing adventure.
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope components carefully unpacked and organized on a clean floor.

Unpack and Inventory Parts

Carefully unbox all components and lay them out on a clean surface. Verify you have the optical tube, tripod, mount head, finderscope, eyepieces, and all accessory parts before starting assembly.

The tripod base for the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope being assembled on a flat grassy surface.

Assemble the Tripod Base

Screw the tripod legs into the mount head and extend them to a comfortable, stable height. Ensure all leg locks are secure and the tripod is level on your chosen observing site.

The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST optical tube being secured onto its equatorial mount.

Attach Optical Tube to Mount

Lift the optical tube and secure it onto the equatorial mount using the provided tube ring or clamp. Ensure it is tight and balanced so it does not swing freely when the clutches are loosened.

Aligning the finderscope of the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope with a distant treetop.

Align the Finderscope

Mount the finderscope to the bracket on the telescope tube. Aim the main telescope at a distant, non-moving daytime object like a treetop or building corner to align the finderscope's crosshairs.

Inserting the 25mm eyepiece into the focuser of the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope.

Insert Eyepiece and Focus

Insert the 25mm eyepiece (lowest power) into the focuser. At night, point the telescope at the Moon or a bright star, then use the focus knobs to achieve the sharpest possible image.

Using the Orion Moon Map to identify lunar features while observing through the SpaceProbe 130ST.

Use Maps to Find Targets

Use the included Orion Moon Map and Deep Map to identify craters on the Moon or find interesting star clusters and nebulae in the night sky, guiding your first observing session.

What Stargazers Say

Customer Experiences with the 130ST

Hear from stargazers who have chosen the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST. Discover their experiences with its build quality, performance, and value as they begin their journey into amateur astronomy.
  • Impressed with Quality
I haven't been able to use the telescope yet due to the weather, but it seems to be well made. I am well satisfied with the quality and price. Once initially used, I plan to give it to my great-grandson.
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Graham P.
  • Last Chance to Buy
Get one of these from High Point while they still have some in stock. No longer manufactured due to Orion going out of business, this may be your last chance to buy one!! As always, fast shipping and quality products.
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Alex M.
  • Solid Starter Scope
Perfect for moving up from a department store telescope. The parabolic mirror makes a real difference for galaxies and nebulae. Setup took a little patience, but the views are worth every minute of assembly time.
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Chris L.
  • Great for Beginners
Bought this for my son who's getting into astronomy. The included maps and eyepieces are a fantastic touch. He's already tracked Jupiter and Saturn. A quality instrument that will grow with his interest.
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Sarah K.
  • Excellent Value
The 130mm mirror gathers serious light for its price point. Tracking with the equatorial mount is smooth once polar aligned. It's a substantial step up, delivering clear views of the Orion Nebula's structure.
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David R.
  • Solid Construction
The mount feels sturdy and stable, not flimsy at all. Collimating the mirror was straightforward with the included tools. I'm impressed by the overall build quality, especially at this price point for a 130mm scope.
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Megan T.

Your Questions About This Telescope

Find answers to common questions about setting up, using, and getting the most from your Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope. From initial assembly to viewing techniques, we provide practical guidance for your stargazing journey.
Start by attaching the optical tube to the mount, then assemble the tripod legs to a stable height. Balance the tube on the mount, attach the finderscope, and finally insert an eyepiece. Use the included maps to align the finderscope with a distant daytime object.
Begin with the lowest power eyepiece, the 25mm, which provides the widest field of view and makes finding objects easier. Use the 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification on the Moon, planets, or to split double stars once you have your target centered.
The equatorial mount is designed to track the stars’ motion. Once you have polar-aligned it with the North Star, use the slow-motion control cables to smoothly follow an object across the sky, keeping it perfectly centered in your eyepiece.
The telescope comes with a smartphone adapter for basic astrophotography. For better results, experiment with different exposure settings on your phone’s camera app. Start by photographing the Moon, as it is bright and does not require long exposures.
While designed for astronomy, the telescope can be used for terrestrial viewing during the day. You will see a horizontally flipped image, which is normal for this optical design. Use it for bird watching or observing distant landscapes.
This is a discontinued model, so finding new original parts may be challenging. However, standard 1.25-inch eyepieces and accessories from many brands are compatible. Contact specialty astronomy retailers for advice on replacement parts or compatible upgrades.
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST telescope fully assembled and set up on a lawn, ready for a night of observing.
A close-up view through the telescope eyepiece showing a magnified, detailed image of the moon's surface.
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Orion 130st Eq Telescope

Engineered for the next step in your astronomical journey, the SpaceProbe 130ST EQ combines a light-gathering 130mm parabolic mirror with a precision equatorial mount, offering clear, stable views of deep-sky wonders.