Used - Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory
Item #: U12099 / 12099-CGLPlease note: This is a gently used item. For complete product details, specs, and extras, please visit the original product page.
Gently Used, Fully Trusted
At Celestron, we believe the cosmos should be within everyone’s reach. That’s why our gently used items have been rigorously inspected and are in full working order—even if they show a few signs of past adventures. When you purchase this product, you’ll also enjoy the same comprehensive warranty as our new items, giving you confidence and peace of mind as explore the night sky.
Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Overview
Please note: This is a gently used item. For complete product details, specs, and extras, please visit the original product page.
Gently Used, Fully Trusted
At Celestron, we believe the cosmos should be within everyone’s reach. That’s why our gently used items have been rigorously inspected and are in full working order—even if they show a few signs of past adventures. When you purchase this product, you’ll also enjoy the same comprehensive warranty as our new items, giving you confidence and peace of mind as explore the night sky.
Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Includes These Celestron Technologies
Also Includes
Description
Specifications
| Optics Info: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph |
| Aperture: | 152mm (5.98") |
| Focal Length: | 335mm (13.18") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/2.2 |
| Optical Coatings: | StarBright XLT coatings throughout |
| Central Obstruction Diameter: | 63mm (2.48") (41% of aperture diameter) |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 474x |
| Image Resolution: | 1.48 arcsec/pixel |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail Bar |
| Filter Drawer: | Integrated, accepts 1.25" or 2" astroimaging filters |
| Imaging Sensor Info: | |
| CMOS Image Sensor: | Sony IMX178LQJ, color, back-illuminated |
| Sensor Size: | 8.92mm (0.35") diagonal |
| Pixel Size: | 2.4μm x 2.4μm |
| Number of Effective Pixels: | 6.44M (3096 x 2080) |
| Field of View: | 1.27° x 0.85° |
| Integrated Electronics Info: | |
| Onboard Computer: | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B |
| Mount: | Computerized GoTo altazimuth mount |
| Dew Prevention: | Fully automated heating element integrated into front lens, removable dew shield/lens shade |
| Focus Motor: | Autofocus or manual control |
| Cooling Fans: | One (1) fan for optics, one (1) fan for electronics, both pull air through vents with wire mesh |
| LED Status Ring: | Indicates status "at-a-glance" |
| Ports Info: | |
| USB-A: | Two (2) on optical tube for accessing raw image files for external processing, one (1) on mount for mobile device charging only |
| Ethernet: | One (1) on optical tube |
| Auxiliary Ports: | Two (2) on optical tube, four (4) on mount |
| Power Info: | |
| Battery: | Integrated LiFePO4, 97.9 Wh, capable of 6+ hours of use |
| Power Input: | 12V DC adapter for charging internal battery or running on external AC power |
| User Interface Info: | |
| Celestron Origin App: | Runs on compatible iOS or Google Play smartphones and tablets |
| System Requirements: | iOS 16 or higher, Android 12 or higher |
| Dimensions: | |
| Optical Tube: | 609.6mm x 177.8mm (24" x 7") diameter |
| Mount: | 457.2mm x 304.8mm x 254mm (18" x 12" x 10") |
| Tripod (Collapsed): | 330.2mm x 304.8 x 812.8mm (13" x 12" x 32") |
| Assembled System: | 609.6mm L x 660.4mm W x 1219.2mm H (24" L x 26" W x 48" H) |
| Weight: | |
| Optical Tube: | 10.6 lb (4.8 kg) |
| Mount: | 17 lb (7.7 kg) |
| Tripod: | 14 lb (6.35 kg) |
| Total System: | 41.6 lb (18.87 kg) |
Videos
Reviews
Edison Consumer Electronics & Information Technology’s Smart Technologies Gold Winner 2024
Celestron took gold! With over 3K entries worldwide, our Celestron Origin won gold in the Edison Awards’ Smart Technologies category.
Read Full Review
Gadgety Award ShowStoppers CES 2024 Award
Recognizing the pinnacle of cutting-edge consumer electronics, this award highlights the innovation and excellence of Celestron's latest creation.
Read Full Review
Techlicious Top Picks of CES 2024 Awards
Exploring the wonders of the night sky is a dream for many, but it can demand extensive astronomical knowledge and a lot of patience. Enter the Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory, a game-changer in amateur astronomy. The new telescope can process data faster, thanks in part to AI, and can deliver crystal-clear images in just seconds, not minutes or hours. You can even schedule the Origin to take stunning pictures of space objects you'd otherwise miss while you're asleep.
Read Full Review
Accessories
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FAQ
I see Origin has no eyepiece. Does it only work with a smartphone or tablet to view objects?
That’s correct. Because the human eye is less efficient than CMOS sensors at low light levels, we are removing it from the equation. Origin’s sensor “sees” more photons in less time than your eye could and then delivers the images it captures to your phone or tablet. The result is “almost real-time” visual observing without an eyepiece. With Origin, you see much more detail in faint, deep-sky objects than you would through the eyepiece of a much larger telescope under dark skies.
What is Origin’s WiFi range?
If you connect directly to Origin’s internal WiFi, the range is about 30-50 feet. If you connect Origin to your home network, you can control it anywhere within range of your WiFi network (e.g., router or wireless access points), typically 100+ feet.
Can I capture the Moon and planets with Origin?
Yes, you can. We recommend using “snapshot mode” for these objects. However, remember that Origin is a precision instrument optimized for the thousands of faint, deep-sky objects you can’t see with the naked eye.
Besides the #93669 Nebula Filter for Origin, what other filters can I use in Origin’s filter drawer?
Celestron’s engineers designed the Nebula Filter for Origin as Origin’s ideal companion. But the filter drawer also accepts most 1.25” or 2” astronomical filters available from Celestron and third-party manufacturers.
I understand that Origin’s internal battery will run for about 6-7 hours with typical usage. I plan to be out in the field for an entire weekend without access to AC power and want to run Origin for longer than that. What power options does Celestron offer?
We highly recommend our PowerTank Lithium batteries, which all work seamlessly with your Origin. The chart below outlines the approximate Origin use time each battery provides.
| SKU# | Battery | Battery energy | Approximate Origin use time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18763 | PowerTank Lithium LT | 73.3 Wh | 4.9 hours |
| 18771 | PowerTank Lithium | 84.4 Wh | 5.6 hours |
| 18768 | PowerTank Lithium Pro | 158.7 Wh | 10.5 hours |
There is a camera cable in front of the optics. Won’t that get in the way when I’m capturing images?
From our decade of experience with Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph optical systems, we know that the camera cable will have very little effect on your images. It does not cause significant diffraction effects. You will not see the spikes or flares on stars that you do with other optical designs.
Does the AI technology inside Origin “doctor” my images with external data?
No. The AI image processing in the Origin app sharpens and enhances your images using the same processing techniques an astroimager would use. It does not add any data to your images, but only adjusts the data you have collected. The technology is working in real-time on your live-stacked images and is also applied to the final stacked master. In both cases, the images you capture with Origin are 100 percent your own data. You always have the ability to adjust the image yourself using the manual controls.
What is the recommended outdoor temperature range for operating Origin?
We recommend only using your Origin when ambient temperatures are within 23 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 to 40 degrees Celsius).
Does Origin need to be collimated?
Origin’s optics are precisely collimated at the factory. Your Origin should generally not require adjustment unless it has experienced significant mechanical shock, like being dropped or taking a large impact. If the optics do become misaligned, there are tip-tilt screws to slightly adjust the tilt of the front lens cell to compensate. (Please consult the instruction manual before attempting any adjustment of the tip-tilt screws.) The Schmidt corrector and primary mirror are rigidly held or bonded in place and cannot be adjusted by the user. If the optics become too far out of alignment after a significant impact, the tube may need to return to Celestron to be realigned.
Can I use the Origin optical tube on another Celestron mount?
No, the Origin optical tube only works with the Origin mount at this time.
Can I purchase another Celestron telescope tube (e.g., a 6” Schmidt-Cassegrain) and NexStar+ hand control and use the Origin mount as the foundation for a visual system?
Yes, if you add a NexStar+ hand control to the Origin mount and install another optical tube, you can use the system visually. You can expect it to perform like our NexStar Evolution mount, with one crucial difference: you cannot use WiFi to control the mount in this configuration. Because Origin’s WiFi module is in the Origin optical tube assembly, not the mount, this configuration only works with the hand control, not WiFi. The Origin app only works with the complete Origin system.
How does Origin handle field rotation when stacking the images?
Origin uses 10-second sub-exposures by default and continually and automatically stacks the images. You will not see any field rotation in 10-second sub-exposures; you’ll generally only start introducing field rotation when you use sub-exposures of about 30 seconds. The length of the sub-exposure does not affect the total exposure time, though. You can image your target for hours with Origin and not see any field rotation in your images.
Will I be able to take dark frames? What about flats?
Celestron takes darks and flats at the factory and stores them within Origin’s computer. You shouldn’t need to take additional darks or flats for normal operation. However, if you wish to take your own darks and flats, you can do so using the Origin app. For flats, you’ll need an EL panel for best results. A new bias frame is generated when new darks are created.
Are the output files available in FITS format?
Yes, Origin’s raw sub-exposure files are available in FITS format. You can download them onto a thumb drive for manual post-processing on your computer with third-party software. Additionally, the final stacked master is available as a .png file from your smartphone/tablet. When you share images from the Origin app, they will be delivered in .jpg format to make them easier to share (i.e., smaller).
Why must I use a thumb drive to transfer the raw sub-exposures? Why can’t I just get them via WiFi through the app?
The raw image files are large, so if they were sent via WiFi they would rapidly fill your device’s memory and could affect performance. Using a thumb drive, you can transfer images quickly and load them onto your computer for third-party post-processing.
If I’m hosting a star party with my Origin, can I maintain control over the telescope using the app while my guests have a passive-only app experience on their devices?
Currently, no. While multiple people can connect to Origin at once, all those who are connected retain the ability to control the telescope.
Can my guests use the Origin app to capture images and save them to their individual smartphones? This would be an excellent souvenir for guests to take home.
Yes! Once Origin has captured an image, anyone connected through the app can save it to their personal device.
What is the maximum shoulder height for a 1.25” filter that the Origin filter drawer can accommodate?
The maximum shoulder height is 8mm. This clearance should allow you to use most filters in the marketplace.
Can I rotate Origin’s camera to frame a specific object better?
Yes. But remember that if you choose to rotate the camera, you’ll also need to capture new flat frames for the best results.
Can one do spectroscopy with Origin, either with a diffraction grating or a standalone spectroscope?
No, not at this time.
Can I point Origin using right ascension and declination (RA and Dec) coordinates only?
Yes, the app has an option to slew Origin by manually entering RA and Dec coordinates.
Can Origin image comets?
Comets are excellent targets for Origin. The app’s database even includes a selection of brighter comets. To view them, tap the Search icon and look in the “Brightest Comets” folder. Origin tracks at a sidereal rate, but this should not pose a problem because comets generally won’t move much in the short time it takes for Origin to produce a nice image.
Any plans to make Origin compatible for remote operation?
We may add this functionality later.
Can I switch Origin on or off remotely?
No, not at this time.
What is the size of the internal memory storage for raw files for imaging?
Roughly 45 GB.
Is there an anti-cord wrap feature?
Yes. If you use Origin with the AC Charger plugged in, you can enable anti-cord wrap in the Origin app under Menu>Settings>Advanced. However, you won’t need to enable this feature if you use Origin’s internal rechargeable battery.
Can additional “piggyback” cameras be mounted onto Origin’s tube?
Yes, there are accessory mounting holes on the tube. However, we don’t currently offer a specific bracket for this. The #93609 Piggyback Mount can work but requires some minor modification.
Does Origin ship in one box? What are the shipping weight and dimensions?
Origin ships in a single box that weighs 65 lbs. and has dimensions of 50.0” length x 25.0” width x 15.2” height.
If I turn off “AI Post Process” in the app (under Menu>Setttings>Advanced), what can I expect to see onscreen during imaging?
If AI Post Process is turned off, no post-processing is applied to the resultant images displayed. You won’t see much image detail at all. If you do turn off AI Post Process, be sure to turn on “Save Raw Images” (also under Menu>Settings>Advanced) so that you can download the raw images onto a USB thumb drive for manual processing later. Keep in mind that Save Raw Images saves the raw images without post-processing whether AI Post Process is on or off, so there is usually no reason to turn off AI Post Process. You also can try turning the different AI modules off and on (e.g., AI Deconvolution, AI Gradient Removal, Denoise) without turning off AI Post Process entirely. For more information, refer to the “Other Advanced Functionality” section of the instruction manual.
I see there is a USB port on the Origin mount near the power switch. Can I use that to download my raw image files onto a thumb drive?
No, the USB port on the Origin mount is for charging your smart device only. To access raw image files with a thumb drive, use the USB ports on the rear cell of the Origin telescope tube. Refer to the instruction manual for more information.
When I unpacked my telescope, I noticed there is an object taped to the power switch. What is this for?
This part prevents the power switch from inadvertently turning on in the box during shipment. You can remove and discard the part when unpacking Origin. It may have become dislodged and loose within the box when you receive your unit, which is OK.
Is there a way to change the filter during a run of Tonight’s Imaging Schedule?
No. Schedules run without any user intervention. You can be asleep or away from your Origin while it completes the imaging run. If you have installed the optional Nebula Filter for Origin, only add nebulae to the schedule for best results. You can remove the filter, replace the clear filter, and run another schedule to capture other objects later.
Why is there an Ethernet port near the USB ports in the Origin’s rear cell?
The Ethernet port is primarily used for development and isn’t used in normal operation. However, if desired, you can use it to provide a wired connection to your router when operating in Network Connect mode.
For the quick-release knob which secures the Origin optical tube to the mount, the Quick Setup Guide indicates that the knob should be facing downwards. However, in a video I saw online, the user was operating Origin with this knob facing upwards, is that a problem?
The knob can be in either orientation. We recommend the knob facing downwards for cosmetic reasons, but you may find having the knob facing upwards is more ergonomic for connecting and disconnecting the optical tube from the mount.
I see there is a ferrite applied to one end of the AUX cable which connects the Origin tube and mount. Should the cable end with the ferrite be plugged into the tube or the mount?
The orientation of the AUX cable does not affect normal operation of Origin. However, to best limit radiated emissions, the end of the cable with the ferrite should be plugged into the mount.
Section 13 of the Origin instruction manual mentions using an optional third-party EL panel to take new flat frames. I don’t have an EL panel; is there any other way to take flats?
Yes, you can use "sky flats," though they can be challenging due to potential gradients caused by Origin’s fast f/2 optics. For the best results with sky flats:
- Wait about 20–30 minutes after sunset.
- Power on Origin; initialization will fail as stars should not yet be visible.
- Manually point Origin at around 60°-75° altitude, roughly opposite the Sun, where the sky should be uniformly blue. Ensure there are no clouds.
- Go to Menu > Settings > Advanced, and select “Recapture Flat Frames.”
If I use an optional filter, like the Celestron Nebula Filter for Origin, do I need to redo my dark and flat frames?
Generally, no. Here’s a breakdown:
- Dark Frames: No need to redo. Dark frames map the inherent noise in the sensor, which is unaffected by filters.
- Flat Frames for 1.25” Filters: New flat frames aren’t necessary unless the filter surfaces are extremely dirty. It’s better to clean the filter thoroughly than to capture new flats.
- Flat Frames for 2” Filters: These filters have a different illumination profile, so you may want to capture new flat frames for slightly improved performance. For instructions on capturing flats, refer to Section 13 of the Origin instruction manual.
I’m noticing some red dots and/or small red streaks in my images. Is something wrong with my Origin or is there a way to correct this?
If you notice some red “hot pixels” or other image artifacts, we recommend using “Recapture Dark Frames” in Menu>Settings>Advanced. The dark frames stored on Origin were taken at the factory and may not perfectly match your current observing conditions (i.e. temperature). Capturing the dark frames in the same conditions you are imaging will better eliminate any residual hot pixels or artifacts. NOTE: Be sure to install the dust cover on Origin before recapturing dark frames, we also recommend doing this outside at night, or in a dark room, and covering the entire optical tube with a towel or blanket to block any stray light.
In Menu>Settings>Advanced, under “Recapture Dark Frames,” how many dark frames are averaged during this operation?
The number of dark frames captured depends on the dark frame exposure time. It is calculated as:
number of dark frame images = 120 seconds ÷ dark frame exposure time (in seconds)
Shorter exposure times result in more frames to better average out noise. However, the number of dark frames is capped at 24 to avoid excessive processing time. Additionally, “Recapture Dark Frames” generates and averages six extra frames to create a new bias frame.
Under Menu>Settings>Advanced, for “Recapture Flat Frames,” how many flat frames are averaged, and what is the flat frame exposure length?
The flat frame is created by averaging 30 individual frames. The exposure length for each frame is determined dynamically based on available light. The system automatically adjusts the exposure until the average ADU for the pixels reaches approximately two-thirds of the maximum ADU.
Whenever my smart device connects to Origin, initialization starts automatically. While this is convenient for night use, I don’t want it to initialize during daytime use or when I’m downloading raw image files indoors. I know there’s a “Cancel Initialization” button, but how can I prevent it from starting at all when I connect?
To prevent automatic initialization, loosen the mount’s altitude axis clutch and manually rotate the optical tube past the vertical position (beyond 90° in altitude). This will cause the initialization process to fail immediately upon connection. Initialization will not restart until you press the “Re-Initialize Scope” button.
I tried carrying Origin’s optical tube by holding the front and rear of the telescope, but the dew shield came loose, and the tube nearly fell! Is this normal?
Do not carry the telescope by gripping the dew shield! The dew shield is not designed to support the telescope's weight. Instead, hold the rear cell of the Origin and the tube body just below the metal front cell when carrying it.
I’m using the Nebula Filter with Origin and imaging a nebula that includes a bright star. I see a prominent “halo” around the bright star, but dimmer stars appear as sharp points of light. Is something wrong?
No, this is normal. The Nebula Filter blocks much of the incoming light, and some of the rejected light reflects back into the optical path. While most of this light exits through the Schmidt corrector, a small amount reflects back toward the sensor. This back-reflected light at the filter’s key wavelengths creates an out-of-focus star image superimposed on the focused star image, which is the halo. You may also notice that the camera cable can create a “shadow” within the halo, this is also normal. Origin’s fast optics and sensitive sensor can make these halos visible, especially during long exposures where bright stars significantly outshine the nebula.
To reduce halos when imaging nebulae with bright stars (e.g., Pleiades or Horsehead Nebula), we recommend using the clear filter and shooting from darker skies. While faint halos may still appear in long exposures, they should be less pronounced compared to nebulae under darker skies
I’m using an Android device to control Origin. After a period of inactivity, the app disconnects and goes to the background—it goes to “sleep.” Reconnecting is easy, but is there a way to stop the device from going to sleep while using Origin?
Yes, in the Origin Android app, navigate to Menu > Settings > Appearance & Behavior and enable the “Prevent Sleep” option.
Support & Downloads
| Manuals: |
|---|
| Celestron Origin Quick Setup Guide |
|
Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory Manual
Instruction manual for the Origin Intelligent Home Observatory. |
| Drawings: |
| Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory Pier Adapter Plate |
| Info Sheets: |
| Celestron Origin App for Android - Google Play Store |
| Celestron Origin App for iOS - Apple Store |
| Other Product Files: |
| Celestron Origin Specification Sheet |
