Some of our favourite Celestron Telescopes

Authorised Celestron Dealers

Celestron Nexstar 90 SLT

This 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain is a recent addition to the Celestron Nexstar SLT range and is an ideal first telescope. Beginners will find its built-in computer control helps them find their way around the sky right from the beginning.

Its sharp, high-contrast optics give excellent views of the Moon, planets and a wide range of deep-sky objects, such as galaxies, nebulae and star clusters.

The folded optical path makes it extremely compact whilst its 90mm aperture is large enough to view thousands of objects, many of them in great detail.

The telescope is supplied complete with star diagonal, eyepiece, red-dot finder, tripod and mount. All you need to add is a set of batteries to begin your exploration of the night sky.

Celestron Nexstar 6 SE

This is perhaps our favourite of all the Celestron Telescopes. It's the one we usually take when we go to a star party. It's easy to transport, quick to set up and has lovely optics. Its 6-inch (150mm) aperture is large enough to show impressive surface detail on the Moon and planets, as well as revealing the beauty of many deep-sky objects.

The Nexstar SE range includes apertures of 4, 5, 6 and 8 inches. The 4-inch version uses Maksutov-Cassegrain optics and is especially suitable for the Moon and planets. The other three use Schmidt-Cassegrain optics offering a wider field of view. All four models are excellent but we like the balance between portability and light grasp that the 6-inch version offers.

Celestron Advanced Series C8-SGT XLT

For those who want to do some serious astrophotography as well as enjoy high-quality observing, Celestron's 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics on the Advanced Series german equatorial mount are ideal.

High-quality optics with XLT coatings provide excellent images and the german equatorial mount eliminates field rotation, essential for long exposures. The built-in computer control helps find thousands of objects and will accept an autoguider input for the advanced astrophotographer. It's a good platform for developing the skills needed to take beautiful pictures.

The Advanced Series also offers refractors, Newtonian reflectors and larger Schmidt-Cassegrain optics on the same mount. In our opinion, the best match is the 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, especially if astrophotography is your main aim. If your main interest is visual use then the larger optical tubes may be your first choice.

Celestron CPC 800 XLT

Some people don't like the apparent complexity of a german equatorial mount with its counterweight and requirement for accurate alignment and axis reversal at the meridian. If astrophotography is likely to be a casual use with relatively short exposures then the simpicity of the CPC with its fork mount may be more attractive.

Setting up is simple, just make sure the tripod is level, attach the fork and tube and you are ready to begin. Celestron's ergonomic design makes it easy to handle the tube and forks together as a single unit.

The range also includes 9.25-inch and 11-inch versions. The 9.25-inch version is still easy to handle for the average person, and is easier than some smaller telescopes from other manufacturers where the position of the handles is not so convenient. If you are thinking of choosing the 11-inch version you need to be sure you can handle it on a regular basis, unless you plan to install it in an observatory.

If you subsequently decide you do want to do advanced astrophotography there is a wedge that fits between the telescope and tripod to convert it to equatorial mode, eliminating field rotation.