NexStar 102SLT MAK Computerized Telescope
Item #: 23090- High quality 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
- Fully computerized Altazimuth altazimuth mount
- StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for quick, no-tool set up
- Sturdy, stainless steel tripod and accessory tray included
- Perfect for terrestrial and celestial observing
- BONUS Starry Night Special Edition Astronomy Software download with a 36,000-object database, printable sky maps and enhanced images including 3D renderings of stars, exoplanets, and galaxies
Overview
- High quality 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
- Fully computerized Altazimuth altazimuth mount
- StarPointer™ red-dot finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for quick, no-tool set up
- Sturdy, stainless steel tripod and accessory tray included
- Perfect for terrestrial and celestial observing
- BONUS Starry Night Special Edition Astronomy Software download with a 36,000-object database, printable sky maps and enhanced images including 3D renderings of stars, exoplanets, and galaxies
Includes These Celestron Technologies
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Description
Celestron’s innovative NexStar Star Location Telescope (SLT) has been a customer favorite for years thanks to its unique combination of high-quality optics, a user-friendly computerized interface, and a sturdy single fork arm mount.
This telescope comes with a pre-assembled, adjustable stainless-steel tripod, quick release fork arm, NexStar+ computerized hand control, 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, and lots of bonus accessories.
The entire telescope kit weighs in at just 16 pounds. The simple, no-tool assembly and fast SkyAlign alignment procedure will have you ready to observe in minutes. This makes NexStar 102SLT your perfect companion for impromptu observing sessions and all-night stargazing marathons alike.
Your NexStar 102SLT will reveal details of the lunar surface, Venus and its phases, the polar caps on Mars, Jupiter and its four moons, and Saturn with its rings plainly visible. It can also be used as a land-based spotting telescope for daytime and wildlife observations.
Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design
The MAK is a catadioptric telescope, which means the optical design includes both a lens and a mirror. The light coming through a MAK passes through the corrector lens to the primary mirror and back to a spherical secondary mirror before it hits the eyepiece. Images are bright, sharp, and virtually free of chromatic aberration.
The Maksutov-Cassegrain’s optical design offers several unique benefits. Instead of a secondary mirror, the MAK features a “secondary spot” of reflective coating applied directly to the inside of the corrector plate. Because of this, the telescope does not require frequent collimation like a Schmidt-Cassegrain. Also, the secondary spot is significantly smaller than a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain secondary mirror, giving the MAK its signature high-contrast views.
One important thing to note about Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes is that the larger, heavier Maksutov corrector plate takes longer to cool down and adjust to ambient air temperature compared to a Schmidt-Cassegrain of the same aperture.
Mount & Technologies
Computerized AltAzimuth Mount – The NexStar SLT telescope features a single fork arm altazimuth mount, which allows the telescope to track the desired objects as they appear to move across the night sky. The mount sits on a pre-assembled, adjustable steel tripod.
NexStar+ Hand Control – This computerized hand control enables you to automatically slew to any of 40,000 celestial objects with the push of a button. The NexStar+ database includes more than 600 galaxies, 300 clusters and dozens of beautiful binary stars. Not sure what to observe? Choose the Sky Tour feature and the NexStar+ hand control will automatically generate a list of all the best celestial objects currently visible based on your exact time and location.
SkyAlign Technology – Our proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure makes setting up and using a computerized telescope faster and easier than ever before. Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope can triangulate its position and locate any other object in the sky automatically. You don’t need to know the names of the stars—you can even pick the Moon or bright planets! For more information about our SkyAlign technology, visit here.
Power – Go anywhere! Feel free to enjoy your NexStar SLT in remote dark sky locations—it’s powered by 8 AA batteries (not included) or a PowerTank portable battery (sold separately). The internal battery compartment provides power to the high precision servo motors for rigid low-vibration performance while eliminating cord wrap issues associated with external battery packs. You may also power your telescope with a 12V AC adapter (sold separately).
Accessories Included
Your telescope includes a StarPointer™ red dot finderscope, a star diagonal, and two eyepieces (25mm and 9mm). The two eyepieces offer different magnifications for low- or high-powered observing. The star diagonal provides a right-side-up view and a more comfortable viewing angle when looking up at the sky. The StarPointer™ red dot finderscope will help you quickly center an object in your eyepiece for easier observing.
NexStar 102SLT is ready to grow with you as you become a more experienced amateur astronomer. It’s compatible with all Celestron’s latest accessories, including StarSense AutoAlign, SkyPortal WiFi module, and PowerTank Lithium.
Starry Night Software
Your purchase includes a FREE download of Celestron’s Starry Night. This powerful software will help you learn about the night sky, celestial objects, and how to plan your next observing session. Celestron Starry Night is the premier astronomy software package on the market, providing resources and knowledge to view our solar system and beyond.
Specifications
| Optical Tube Info: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
| Aperture: | 102mm (4.04") |
| Focal Length: | 1325mm (52.16") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/12 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 53x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 9mm (.35") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 147x |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
| Optical Tube: | Aluminum |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 241x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 15x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 12.5 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 1.37 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | 1.14 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 212x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 35mm (1.37") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 34% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 12% |
| Optical Coatings: | Fully Coated |
| Optical Tube Length: | 381mm (15") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 116.84mm (4.6") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| Mount Info: | |
| Mount Type: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Instrument load capacity: | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 762mm - 1270mm (30" - 50") |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | 31.75mm (1.25") steel |
| Mount Head Weight: | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | Nine slew speeds |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes: | Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South |
| GPS: | No |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 saddle plate |
| Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 1x AUX Port and 1x hand control port (hand control can use either port) |
| Autoguide Port: | No |
| USB Port: | Yes, input on hand control |
| Power Requirements: | 12 VDC - 8xAA Batteries (not included) |
| Motor Drive: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Alignment Procedures: | SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Solar System Align |
| Periodic Error Correction: | No |
| Computerized Hand Control: | Yes |
| NexStar+ Database: | Over 40,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects |
| Software: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 16 lbs (7.3 kg) |
| Included Items: |
Optical Tube Single Fork Arm Mount and tripod Accessory Tray NexStar+ Hand Control 25mm and 9mm eyepiece StarPointer™ red dot finderscope Star Diagonal |
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FAQ
Why doesn’t my red dot finderscope match the image on the box/website?
Celestron is making a change to the finderscope shipped with some Celestron telescopes. In some cases, you may receive a finderscope that is different in appearance than the one pictured on the gift box, manual, Quick Setup Guide, or website. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Rest assured that the finders are identical in performance and features. The main difference is the location of the battery compartment and, therefore, the battery installation instructions.
If your red dot finderscope looks like the unit pictured here, you can ignore this message. 
If you received a red dot finderscope that looks like the unit pictured here, follow the instructions below to replace the battery: 
1. The battery compartment on this finderscope is located on top of the unit. Use a Philips-head screwdriver to loosen the screw holding the battery door closed. The screw is captured and will not fall out when you open the battery door. 
2. Lift the battery door open to expose the CR-2032 button battery.
3. With your fingernail on either side of the battery, pry the battery up and out of the battery compartment.
4. Place the new CR-2032 battery, positive (+) side up, under the two copper battery clips at the front of the battery compartment. 
5. Press the battery down to snap it into the plastic battery clips on the opposite side of the battery.
6. Close the battery door and tighten the Phillips-head screw to secure the door in place.
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