Celestron Brings WiFi Technology to Innovative Telescopes and Microscopes

Torrance, CA (August 6, 2014) – Taking its cues from some of the hottest trends in consumer electronics, Celestron is thrilled to announce new products that bring a unique perspective to your smartphone or tablet: telescopes and microscopes with fully-integrated WiFi.

Released in January, Celestron’s award-winning Cosmos 90GT WiFi Telescope is the world’s first completely wireless computerized telescope. Connect the telescope to your iOS or Android smart device via a built-in wireless network, launch the Cosmos Celestron Navigator planetarium app, and you’re ready to explore the universe! Point your device at the night sky to identify any celestial object. With a simple tap, the Cosmos 90GT WiFi slews toward it, centering it perfectly in the eyepiece. Inspired by FOX’s COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY, this 90 mm refractor makes amateur astronomy accessible to anyone at a price of just $399.95.

Following up on the success of the Cosmos 90GT WiFi, Celestron set a new standard in telescopes with NexStar Evolution, the first WiFi-enabled Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Hailed as “the coolest app-cessory in the galaxy” by Wired.com, NexStar Evolution works seamlessly with the Celestron SkyPortal app, featuring a database of over 100,000 celestial objects. Equipped with Celestron’s signature 6-, 8-, or 9.25-inch optical tube, NexStar Evolution offers impressive views of even faint, deep-sky objects.

NexStar Evolution was thoughtfully designed based on customer feedback to be the most elegant consumer telescope ever built. It features the first rechargeable lithium-ion battery ever offered on a computerized telescope, with enough power for a 10-hour stargazing marathon. You can even charge your smart device while you observe using the integrated USB charge port.

“Our goal is to introduce a new generation to the hobby of astronomy,” said Celestron CEO Dave Anderson. “We’ve come up with several huge innovations that are sure to resonate with these tech-savvy consumers.”

Finally, WiFi integration comes to the lab with Micro Fi, Celestron’s latest cutting-edge digital microscope. This battery-powered, handheld low-power microscope uses the Micro Fi app to provide a live streaming feed to up to three smartphones or tablets. With a range of up to 30 feet, Micro Fi is great for group work on a single specimen. A two-element IR-cut lens ensures clear resolution, a six-ring LED illuminator is adjustable to provide just the right amount of light, and the built-in camera captures both still photos and video.

About Celestron

Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer, and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, GPS devices, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become the world's #1 telescope maker, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s extraordinary products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association, and more. Celestron is a privately-held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, California.