Celestron Unveils Cutting-Edge Telescope and Astroimaging Technology at 2014 Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show

Experience the night sky in a new way with WiFi-enabled telescopes and sophisticated astroimaging technology from Celestron, the world’s #1 telescope maker.

Torrance, CA (April 12, 2014) – Celestron is thrilled to announce its new Spring 2014 product lineup, full of innovative astronomy products that make viewing and capturing the universe easier than ever. This exciting new product line takes its cues from some of the hottest trends in consumer electronics: WiFi connectivity, CMOS imaging sensors, and the increasing popularity of DSLR photography.

Celestron sets a new standard in telescopes with the new NexStar Evolution, the world’s first WiFi-enabled Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Connect your iOS or Android smart device to NexStar Evolution’s built-in wireless network, launch the Celestron planetarium mobile app, and you’re ready to explore the universe! Point your tablet at the night sky to identify any celestial object. With a simple tap, NexStar Evolution slews toward it, centering it perfectly in the eyepiece. 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’ll also find two accessory trays, one with a red LED illuminator, so you always have your eyepieces and filters within easy reach. You can even charge your smart device while you observe using the integrated USB charge port.

With more and more photographers looking to point their DSLR cameras at the cosmos, Celestron engineers created the new Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph. Although it might look like a telescope, this new instrument cannot be used with an eyepiece, and was designed specifically for astroimaging with DSLR and astronomical CCD cameras. Just attach your camera to the front of the 11-inch optical tube, and you can image the night sky at ultra-fast speeds of f/2.2. That means you’ll capture more data in less time, creating stunning images without adding accessories like an autoguider. The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph is perfect for imaging celestial objects like the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, and Pleiades star cluster—or creating large-scale mosaics of the night sky.

Those looking to image nearer celestial targets will love Celestron’s new solar system imagers, ideal for capturing the Sun, Moon, and planets. There are a variety of new offerings to choose from, suited to planetary imagers of all skill levels:

• Two new CMOS cameras join Celestron’s successful Skyris line of high-end planetary imagers. The Skyris 132C and 132C are the only cameras that combine SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology with the revolutionary Aptina AR0132 CMOS imaging sensor.
• Beginning astroimagers will enjoy the NexImage Burst planetary imager. Available in color and monochrome, NexImage Burst cameras feature sophisticated CMOS sensors capable of capturing brief moments of stable air for sharper images of the planets. These affordable cameras are a great choice for those new to the hobby.

“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 this spring that are sure to resonate with these tech-savvy consumers.”

Celestron is accepting preorders for all new products starting today, and shipping for most models begins in May. But you can get an early look at the entire lineup at the 2014 Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show, being held April 12 and 13 at Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY.

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.