Celestron 31042 AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescope, Dark Blue

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Looking to upgrade your equipment? Get competitive prices on major brands with our part-exchange service. That being said, you need to understand that it is not a plug-and-play device. It has a learning curve due to having to learn to collimate it and align the equatorial mount before you even get to use it. This will be frustrating to some users that might have different expectations from a device that is meant to be “entry-level”.

I was able to make out the cloud bands on the tiny disk of Jupiter on some nights, but it was much more difficult than it ever should have been. I don’t think I ever saw the Great Red Spot with this telescope–but I wasn’t keeping logs then. EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology—the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including IR and UV light, plus 99.999% of visible light. Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is SAFE for direct observation of the Sun and has been independently tested to conform to and meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2:2015(E), Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun, EN 1836:2005 + A1:2007 (E) for an E15 Filter for the Direct Observation of the Sun and AS/NZS 1338.1:2012, Filters for Eye Protectors.If you are looking for a reflector telescope you can travel with, the 114EQ is a good choice. It’s also light enough for older children. How easy is it to use? Unzip the case and you’ll discover a soft polyester interior lining with three configurable EVA foam padded walls. Use the Velcro to place the foam walls in the exact configuration you need for your equipment, creating custom compartments for your optical tube, mount, and tripod. Once your equipment is stowed safely inside, secure it in place with the internal straps. With shorter tubes, you’ll have some leftover interior space to stash extra accessories. It comes with two Kellner eyepieces, a 20mm and a 10mm. These are fine as starting eyepieces and should be enough to get you started.

The telescope is attached to the mount by a standard dovetail with tube-rings, so it can be placed on any compatible mount, such as the AstroMaster Alt-az mount or a larger Equatorial Mount. Find out the best Celestial Events coming in 2022: 2022 Astronomy Calendar | Coming to a Sky Near You Also, an equatorial mount is a terrible idea for a beginner telescope. Most beginners have a relatively poor understanding of the motions of the night sky (something that can be improved by constantly observing the sky!). And you must have an understanding of such motions to correctly use the mount. Using it correctly also requires several minutes of setup and alignment. With the mount aligned, it’s also easier to use astronomy software or maps to locate objects in the sky.Submit a valuation request and we'll provide guide prices with no delay. Plus, we'll collect your gear from your home or work for FREE. Setting up the telescope is a breeze. Even on your first time out, you can assemble the telescope and its accessories in just a few minutes. The total telescope kit weighs in at just 6.7 pounds—perfect for impromptu observing sessions or transporting wherever life’s adventures take you.

Celestron sells three relevant accessory kits to supplement its AstroMaster and PowerSeeker telescopes:

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You can also see some brighter nebulae and galaxies in deep space especially if you use a low-power, wide-field eyepiece. The Bird-Jones design is outdated and no longer needed. The cheap Kellner eyepieces supplied with many entry-level telescopes today would’ve amazed a 1950s amateur with their quality and work well enough with even a relatively fast focal ratio telescope. Furthermore, Celestron didn’t even bother to execute the design correctly. Celestron’s Bird-Jones design places the corrector lens inside the focuser. This causes two problems.