Celestron Maksutov telescope MC 102/1325 AZ GoTo Astro Fi 102 (52615)

The Celestron Astro Fi series is designed for beginner astronomers, offering advanced electronics similar to those found in larger telescopes. These telescopes are controlled via a smartphone or tablet, eliminating the need for a traditional hand controller. With features like SkyAlign technology and built-in WiFi, the Astro Fi series provides an intuitive and modern stargazing experience.

SkyAlign Technology:
SkyAlign simplifies the alignment process. You only need to point the telescope at any three bright objects in the night sky. The system calculates the telescope's orientation based on location, date, and time—no need to identify the stars or planets used for alignment. Once aligned, the GoTo system enables you to locate and observe celestial highlights effortlessly.

WiFi-Ready Control:
The telescope generates its own WiFi network, allowing you to control it wirelessly through a smartphone or tablet. Using Celestron's free SkyPortal app (compatible with iOS and Android), you can operate the telescope while accessing planetarium software. The app displays the starry sky and provides detailed information about celestial objects, including descriptions, images, and audio content (in English). SkyPortal also supplies GPS data such as location, date, and time directly to the telescope.

Azimuthal Single-Arm Mount:
The lightweight azimuthal single-arm mount is designed for smaller telescopes. It is easy to transport and quick to set up. The telescope attaches securely to the mount via a prism rail, making assembly straightforward. After observing, the optics can be detached from the mount using a handle for safe transportation. The standardized clamp allows compatibility with other telescopes using a prism rail.

OptiK MC 102/1325 Telescope Features:
This Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope features a compact optical tube assembly (OTA) with a long focal length, making it highly portable and stable even on smaller mounts. The closed tube design protects the mirror from contamination while maintaining excellent collimation over time. Despite its relatively small 102mm aperture, the closed construction minimizes cool-down time. Maksutov telescopes are particularly popular for planetary observation due to their high focal length, which allows for high magnifications when viewing celestial objects like the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars.

The built-in focuser ensures cameras can be stably mounted onto the OTA, making this Maksutov an excellent choice for capturing detailed images of the Moon and planets using a DSLR or planetary camera.

Advantages at a Glance:

• Compact design reduces strain on mounts while maintaining stability

• High magnification ideal for planetary observation

• Closed OTA protects optics from contamination

Included Components:

• Optical tube with optics

• Red dot finder scope

• 1.25" eyepieces (25mm and 10mm)

• 1.25" 90° star diagonal

Specifications:

Optics:

• Type: Reflector

• Type of Build: Maksutov-Cassegrain

• Aperture: 102 mm

• Focal Length: 1325 mm

• Aperture Ratio (f/): 13

• Resolving Capacity: 1.13 arcseconds

• Limiting Magnitude: 11.8 mag

• Light-Gathering Capacity: 210x compared to the naked eye

• Maximum Useful Magnification: 204x

Tube:

• Length: 340 mm

• Material: Aluminum

• Construction: Full tube

Focuser:

• Connection to Eyepiece: 1.25 inches

• Type of Build: Internal focuser

Mount:

• GoTo Control: Yes (multilingual)

• Mount Type: Azimuthal single-arm mount

• Load Capacity: 5 kg

• Tracking Speeds: Sidereal, solar, lunar

Software & Connectivity:

• Database: Over 120,000 objects in GoTo system database

• Software Included: SkyPortal app (iOS/Android)

• WiFi Enabled: Yes

Tripod:

• Material: Aluminum tripod with accessory plate

Included Accessories:

• Finder Scope: Red dot finder scope

• Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm (1.25-inch format)

• Deviating Optics: 1.25", 90° star diagonal

• Battery Compartment: Yes

General Information:

• Series: Astro Fi

• Total Weight: 4.5 kg

Applications:

• Moon & Planets: Yes

• Nebulae & Galaxies: Yes

• Nature Observation: No

• Astrophotography: Limited (Moon & Planets only)

• Sun Observation: No (requires appropriate solar filter)

Recommended Use: Ideal for beginners; not suitable for advanced users or observatory-level applications.

Battery Information: Requires Mignon (AA, LR6) batteries for operation.

Manufacturer Details:
Manufacturer: Celestron (USA)