Celestron Nexstar 5i Telescope
Celestron’s affordable, expandable NexStar 5i takes the best of the NexStar 5 to the next level of performance and operating features. Equipped with the standard electronic hand control, you can manually slew your NexStar across the sky in seconds, or track a star equatorially as the Earth rotates beneath you. The electronic hand controls allow you to move the telescope at six different rates and have a “double button” feature that lets you instantly increase the slew speed without having to change rates.
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The Celestron FirstScope Series of telescopes is designed with the first-time telescope buyer in mind. Offering exceptional value, these scopes feature compact and portable designs with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy. Each telescope has its own design characteristics to help you choose which is best for you. The smaller FirstScopes feature refractor optical designs while the larger apertures feature Newtonian reflector optical systems.
Some of the new features include an AutoAlign Routine function, which guides you through a two-star alignment based on time, date, and location information, and the Polar Alignment Routine function, enabling polar alignment for CCD imaging or conventional 35mm astrophotography.
Other features include:
- 127mm (5-inch) diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain refractor
- Focal length of 1250mm and focal ratio of f10
- 6-degree-per-second slew speed
- Fully enclosed high-speed motors on both axes
- Integrated hand controller built into the side of the fork arm
- Auxiliary port for adding optional accessories
Add the optional NexStar Hand Control to your NexStar 5i telescope, and access features like automatic star alignment capability, GOTO slewing to over 40,000 objects and the expandability to use your NexStar 5i with the external GPS accessory.
Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 5i.
Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar’s MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.
Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.
The Nuts and Bolts
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Posted in Astronomy
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