Comet Enthusiast

List Price: $155.00
Sale Price: $122.75
You save: $32.25 (21%)

Description

This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, both those whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources.The book also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, with special emphasis on grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.* Geometrical aberration theory based on Fermat's principle* Diffraction theory and transfer function approach to near-perfect telescopes* Thorough discussion of 2-mirror telescopes, including misalignments* Basic principles of spectrometry; grating and echelle instruments* Schmidt and other catadioptric telescopes* Principles of adaptive optics* Over 220 figures and nearly 90 summary tables

Sale Price: $29.99

Description

This Celestron 1.25" erect image diagonal uses an Amici prism design. This design allows you to look into the telescope at a 90° angle, at images that are oriented properly, meaning the image is upright and correct from left to right.

Comes with a set of duct caps that are not shown in the photo. Has metal barrel with a plastic housing.

Diagonal was part of an accessory kit that came with a Celestron telescope. Therefore does not come in a box and it does not have Celestron's name on it.

Fits all Celestron, Meade, Orion, Konus, and Bushnell telescopes that have a 1.25" focuser.

Features

• This Celestron 1.25" erect image diagonal uses an Amici prism design.
• This design allows you to look into the telescope at a 90° angle, at images that are oriented properly, meaning the image is upright and correct from left to right.
• Fits all brands of telescopes: Celestron, Meade, Orion, Konus, Bushnell and others that have a 1.25" focuser.
• Will not work with reflecting (Newtonian) telescopes

List Price: $51.95

Description

Celestron?s Erect Image Diagonals are an Amici prism design. This design allows you to look into the telescope at a 45 angle, at images that are oriented properly, meaning the image is upright and correct from left to right. Use of Celestron?s .96" to 1-1/4" 45 Erect Image Diagonal on a telescope equipped with .96" eyepieces means greater versatility. This diagonal will allow you to use 1-1/4" eyepieces, to obtain a larger field of view and better eye relief. A 901-1/4" Erect Image Diagonal is available for those who prefer that angle. A Star Diagonal lets you view objects that are at a 90 angle from the direction the telescope is pointing, thereby allowing comfortable viewing when the telescope is pointed at, or near, the zenith (i.e. directly overhead). The resulting image is right side up, but will be reversed from left to right.

List Price: $191.95
Sale Price: $111.31
You save: $80.64 (42%)

Description

TE3)CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 70AZ SCOPE

Features

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
• Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing

List Price: $122.95
Sale Price: $69.00
You save: $53.95 (44%)

Description

Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ 35 - 175X Refractor Telescope opens up the wonders of the universe to the aspiring astronomer. Amateur astronomy is a great hobby you can enjoy year-round, and Celestron's PowerSeeker Telescopes are the ideal choice for affordable stargazing enjoyment! PowerSeeker Scopes are quick and easy to set up, even for the novice... no tools required! Their collapsible altazimuth mounts are perfectly suited for terrestrial and astronomical viewing, meaning these Telescopes shine day or night, earth or sky. All Celestron PowerSeekers include a tripod, full range of eyepieces, plus a 3X barlow lens. Specs: 70 mm aperture size; Includes 20 mm eyepiece for 35X magnification, 4 mm eyepiece for 175X, and a 3X barlow lens that triples the magnification power of each eyepiece; Refractor optical design; Fully-coated glass optics with high-transmission coatings for enhanced brightness and clarity; Smooth altazimuth mount with easy pointing to located objects; 1.25" erect image diagonal, ideal for terrestrial and astronomical viewing; Comes with The Sky X Planetarium software; Limiting stellar magnitude: 11.7; Resolution (Rayleigh): 1.99 arcsec; Resolution (Dawes): 1.66 arcsec; Light-gathering power: 100X; Angular F.O.V. is 1.4 degrees. Linear F.O.V. is 74' 5x24 mm finderscope; Weighs 8 lbs. Includes aluminum tripod. Order yours today! Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ 35X-175X Refractor Telescope

Celestron's value priced PowerSeeker 70AZ is an affordable entry level telescope with some nice extras like a correct image prism and "The Sky" astronomy software included. The package also includes an Alt-Azimuth mount with adjustable aluminum tripod, high and low power eyepieces, a 3X barlow lens, and a 5 power cross hair finder scope. The PowerSeeker 70AZ comes disassembled in a compact box, but the fully illustrated quick set-up guide makes it easy to assemble. Go ahead and try it out in the daytime, that's the best time to align the finder scope while looking at a distant tree or telephone pole. The optics of the PowerSeeker 70AZ are surprisingly good, especially when I use the low power 20mm eyepiece. The correct image prism and the 20mm eyepiece give me a magnification of 35X, so backyard birds seem five times closer than with my seven power binoculars. The PowerSeeker 70 can be upgraded with standard 1.25 inch telescope eyepieces. A 25mm plossl eyepiece for example gives a true field of view of almost 2 degrees for delightful views of star clusters like the Pleiades, while a 6mm eyepiece provides a magnification of 117X, just right to see the rings of Saturn or the cloud bands on Jupiter. The included 4mm eyepiece (175X magnification) might be too much power: I can see Saturn's rings but at 175X it's not easy to focus and it's not easy to keep planets centered in the field of view. The Alt-Azimuth mount included with the PowerSeeker 70AZ is lighter and easier to use than an Equatorial mount, but it does not track stars and planets. As soon as you get the Moon centered in the eyepiece it starts drifting toward the edge, this is caused by rotation of the Earth. The Moon may stay in the low power eyepiece for two or three minutes, but with the high power 4mm eyepiece (175X magnification) a star will disappear in only twenty or thirty seconds. Celestron's PowerSeeker 70AZ is a real value because it has very good achromatic optics in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The drawback is that it has a lot of plastic parts, including the finder scope and the 3X barlow. For a more rugged alternative, take a look at Celestron‘s AstroMaster 70 AZ which comes with better eyepieces and includes a sturdier Alt-Azimuth mount. --Jeff Phillips Pros: Very good optics Correct image prism Easy no tool set-up Light, portable, and affordable Cons: Light weight tripod Does not track stars and planets Plastic finder and barlow lens Moon as seen with the low power eyepiece, 35X Crater Clavius shot with a Neximage camera, 280X Planet Saturn shot with Neximage camera, 280X Deer over 100 yards away shot at 35X Birdfeeder about 50 feet away shot at 35X

Features

• 70 mm (2.8") refractor
• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• 3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• The SkyX Planetarium Software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images

Sale Price: $89.00

Description

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Eclipse Edition is an affordable solar telescope package which includes a white light solar filter

Features

• Affordable Solar Telescope Package, with White Light Solar Filter
• All coated glass optical elements for clear, crisp images
• Erect image diagonal so that your views are correctly oriented
• Smooth functioning altazimuth mount with easy pointing to located objects
• Preassembled aluminum full size photographic tripod ensures a stable platform

List Price: $403.95
Sale Price: $226.88
You save: $177.07 (44%)

Description

Celestron SkyScout Scope 90 - 90mm Refractor Telescope for SkyScout Personal Planetarium 21068

Features

• 90mm refractor optical design with all coated glass optics and 660mm (f/7) focal length for crisp, clear images
• Quick and easy no tool setup
• Erect image 6x30 finderscope with quick-release bracket
• Erect image optics are ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Convenient pan handleccurate pointing with built-in clutch for easy targeting and smooth motion.

Sale Price: $239.95

Description

Celestron 39-100x90mm Maksutov Angled Spotting Scope w/Tripod 52268-OP

Celestron's 52268 90mm Maksutov Spotting Scope delivers excellent high powered optics in a compact, affordable package. The full 52268-OP package includes Celestron’s model 93606 photo tripod, a backpack style soft carrying case, an 8x21 erect image finder scope, and a 1.25 inch size correct image 45* prism diagonal. The package also includes two fully coated plossl eyepieces, a low power 32mm eyepiece for 39X magnification and a 12.5mm eyepiece for 100X magnification. The Maksutov-Cassegrain design of the C90 uses a combination of mirrors and lenses; this “folded” optical system has a focal length of 1250mm in a body only twelve inches long. The Maksutov design delivers high power views without a trace of the chromatic aberration, also called blue fringing, that can distort high power views in competing refractor style spotting scopes. At 40X magnification where some low cost spotting scopes start to seem fuzzy, the C90 is just getting started. The C90 uses the same 1.25 inch eyepieces used in astronomical telescopes. The standard equipment 32mm and 12.5mm plossl eyepieces yield magnifications of 39X and 100X, but many other eyepieces can be used to vary the magnification. The Celestron model 52268 seems very well built, with excellent multi-coatings visible on the front lens. The real beauty of this 90mm Maksutov spotting scope, however, is in the view it offers. When I look at Jupiter at 100X I can clearly see Jupiter’s major cloud bands as well as its four moons. When I look at the Moon and stars I can easily push the magnification to 200X with an optional 6mm eyepiece. When I look at birds in the backyard, I’m treated to delightful views full of vibrant color and crisp detail. With a close focus distance of only 15 feet, the detail and texture I see is simply amazing. High magnification viewing requires a solid tripod, of course. Celestron’s 93606 Photo and Video Tripod might be OK for a digital camera, but it seems much too light for a five pound spotting scope. The other drawback to high magnification viewing is a narrow field of view; high magnification makes it hard to follow moving targets like birds in flight. Overall the Celestron C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope does a fine job as a companion to good pair of binoculars. The C90 also doubles as a portable astronomy scope; it won’t show the flag on the Moon but it will show thousands of craters on the Moon as well as showing the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. --Jeff Phillips Pros: Compact and portable Excellent high power optics Upgradeable with 1.25" eyepieces Adaptable for astronomy and photography Cons: Not waterproof Included 93606 tripod is too light Chickadee shot at 39X at about 25 feet Purple Finch shot at 39X at about 20 feet Purple Finch closeup shot at 100X Dark Eyed Junco closeup shot at 100X Blue Moon on New Year's Eve shot at 60X

List Price: $838.95
Sale Price: $400.00
You save: $438.95 (52%)

Description

Celestron's C5 Spotting Scope is a 5 (127mm) aperture, 1250 mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system. Its optical excellence is the reason it was chosen by NASA for many space shuttle missions. The C5 spotting scope is an ideal choice for the serious bird watcher, nature lover or anyone who enjoys beautiful views -either from your home or in the field. At just six pounds in weight and 11 inches in length, this spotting scope is a completely portable visual and photographic instrument that performs well in any viewing location. Further, Celestron offers a wide variety of optional accessories to expand the capabilities of this special instrument. The C5's aperture of 5 allows it to easily outperform smaller aperture spotting scopes. Offering 4 1/2 times more light gathering ability than a 60 mm spotting scope and 2 1/2 times more than an 80 mm scope, Celestron's C5 is the clear choice when a powerful instrument delivering brilliant, crisp views is what you require. The C5 spotting scope is a wonderfully versatile instrument, and its near focus of approximately 20 feet allows you to observe plant life, wildlife, birds or insects with ease. At the same time, the C5 can also be used as an astronomical telescope. In addition, the C5 goes easily from working as a powerful spotting scope to being a high performance 1250 mm f/10 telephoto lens. Photography couldn't be easier, because the C5 is designed to be fully camera adaptable. To take professional quality shots with the C5, just attach the correct optional T- Adapter and T-Ring for your 35 mm SLR camera to the back of the C5 spotting scope, and you're ready to shoot. The tripod adapter block on the C5's tube makes easy work of mounting the instrument onto a tripod for either viewing or photography. The C5 comes complete inside its own soft sided carrying case. General Features 5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Design StarBright XLT Coatings 25 mm (50x) Eyepiece 45 degrees Erect Image Diagonal 6x...

Celestron’s C5 Spotting Scope features excellent optics and wonderful versatility in a compact portable size. Although the C5 is best known as a portable telescope for astronomy, Celestron has outfitted the C5 Spotter for daytime use by packaging the C5 with a soft-sided carrying case, an erect image 6x30 finder scope, a correct image 45 degree diagonal prism, and a good quality 25mm plossl eyepiece for a magnification of 50X. The C5 Spotting Scope is a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical telescope or SCT, and is designed to use many of the hundreds of accessories available in the SCT market including optional eyepieces and camera adapters. A nice option for the C5 spotter is Celestron’s 8 to 24mm Zoom Eyepiece , which allows the user to dial in any magnification from 52X all the way up to 156X. The most important accessory for a high power scope is a sturdy tripod. Celestron’s Heavy Duty Alt-Azimuth Tripod is sturdy enough to handle the C5’s six pound weight and features extended slow motion knobs that make it easier to point the C5 precisely. The C5 is my favorite dual purpose telescope, useful as both a high power spotting scope and as a portable telescope for astronomy. The same fine optics are available in Celestron’s NexStar 5 SE computerized telescope for astronomy. The big advantage of the C5 over traditional refractor style spotting scopes comes from its higher magnification and greater resolving power, at least 50% better resolving power than the best 80mm spotting scopes. The disadvantage, of course, is that a higher magnification gives a narrower field of view. An optional 32mm Plossl eyepiece for example would magnify the image by 39X with about 1.25 degrees true field of view. The high power optical performance of Celestron’s C5 Spotting Scope is nothing short of outstanding. Even at 200X magnification there’s no trace of the “chromatic aberration” or blue fringing commonly seen in refractor style spotting scopes. With a close focus distance of only 20 feet, the C5 spotting scope excels at everything from photographing hummingbirds in the back yard to viewing the rings of Saturn nearly a billion miles away. --Jeff Phillips Hummingbird shot at 30 yards with C5 and Powershot camera Finches shot at 20 yards with C5 and Powershot camera Shot at 200X with C5 and Neximage camera Shot at 50X with C5 and Powershot camera Shot at 400X with C5 and Neximage camera Pros: Dual uses, spotting and astronomy Excellent high power optics No trace of “blue fringing” Cons: Narrow field of view Less rugged than refractors

Features

• 5" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Design
• StarBright Multi-Coating
• 25mm (50x) Eyepiece
• 45 degree Erect Image Diagonal
• 8x20 Erect Image Finderscope