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| Celestron FirstScope and lens cap setting on an IKEA table Mike Otis |
Introduction
This is my Celestron tabletop FirstScope that everyone said was a toy. In support of that premise, I did buy it from Toys'R'Us in Beijing for about $60 and it did come with plastic eyepieces, not just the barrel was plastic but also the actual lenses! No problem, they melted on one hot summer day and I replaced the two with a set of fine aspheric lens oculars bought online from SVBony which perform admirably.
Overview
The telescope comes without a finderscope, but with a focal length of 12 inches, it's not too much challenge to sight down the tube and find the Moon and bright planets. I have yet to adapt it for deep sky objects but it's definitely a project I would consider. You better stick with low power as the 3" f4 mirror is obviously left uncorrected and spherical, not parabolic which is needed for fine mirrors of short focal length. Nevertheless, I have conducted several ongoing projects with this telescope in Beijing, Shanghai and Taiwan and out of all my many telescopes this is the one I grab with one hand and have it setup in 3 seconds! The little telescope is not without its problems but it's a lot of fun, small and cute.
Projects
Stay tuned to this corner as I plan to do interesting projects with this scope. Don't expect anything too high tech as the secondary mirror is compromised and the telescope is definitely the underdog. Here's a list of some projects in the making. A checkmark indicates completed projects.
✔︎ * Telescope review
✔︎ * Upgrade the telescope
✔︎ * Full Moon imaging
✔︎ * Jupiter at 80,000 power
✔︎ * Green Image Intensifier simulation
✔︎ * Barlow tests
✔︎ * Focal Reducer experiments
✔︎ * Imaging through window glass
✔︎ * Focal Reducer experiments
✔︎ * Imaging through window glass
* Imaging with a computer cam
* Imaging with an electronic eyepiece
* Tips project
* Repair the secondary
* Eyepiece testing
* Image Processing with FirstScope images
* Connecting ASI224MC CMOS camera
* Solar astrophotography
* Planetary moons capture
* Observing spree
* List of bright objects to view
* Measure light pollution
* Build a mini astro weather station
* Using NightCap iPhone App
* Image gallery
Telescope Commercial Advertising Description
FirstScope pays tribute to the men and women who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us! In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists by displaying their names around the optical tube. We honor the contributions of these men and women, who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us.
The FirstScope is a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy. This quality Dobsonian style telescope features a 76 mm aperture reflector optical tube. FirstScope is an ideal entry level astronomical telescope. It is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object, making the viewing experience a snap! The compact design makes it easy enough to take with you on your next outdoor adventure. FirstScope is also stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on your bookshelf or desk. A high quality Dobsonian style stand with a 76 mm reflector optical tube make FirstScope an ideal entry level astronomical telescope. A portable and lightweight table-top design makes it easy to store, transport and setup your FirstScope Telescope. FirstScope is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object. The stylish and decorative design makes FirstScope a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy.
The FirstScope Telescope by Celestron is a 76 mm (2.99-inch) aperture Newtonian Reflector Telescope on a single-arm Dobsonian Cradle Mount (table-top). Its easy-use and portability make it an ideal entry-level astronomical telescope. Expand your possibilities by adding the Celestron FirstScope Telescope Accessory Kit. The Celestron FirstScope Telescope - IYA Edition Features: Observing is quick and easy, simply navigate the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of your desired object. It’s portable! Take it with you on your next outdoor adventure with its compact and lightweight design. When not in use, its stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on your bookshelf or desk. Named official product of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. In 2009, four centuries later, Celestron introduced the FirstScope Telescope to pay tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists. Their names are on display around the optical tube. OPT Product Number: CE-21024 $54.95. Accessories kit CE-21024-ACC $22.25.
Specs
FirstScope Telescope - Item # 21024
Manufacturer - Celestron
Country Origin - Made in China
Optical Design - Newtonian Reflector
Telescope type - Table-Top
Aperture 76mm (2.99")
Focal Length 300mm (12")
Focal Ratio 3.95
Camera/Eyepiece Connection 1.25" Nosepiece
Type of Eyepieces - plastic lenses
1.25-inch Eyepiece #1: H 20 mm (0.79"), 15x magnification
1.25-inch Eyepiece #2: SR 4 mm (0.16"), 75x magnification
Highest Useful Magnification (50x/") - 150x
Lowest Useful Magnification (with a 1" fl ep) - 12x
Resolution (Rayleigh) - 1.83 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes) - 1.53 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) - 118x
Mount Design Single Arm Alt-Azimuth
Limiting Magnitude 11.8-13.1
http://www.twcac.org/Tutorials/limiting_magnitude_table.htm
http://www.twcac.org/Tutorials/magnify4.htm#Magnification%20Calculator
Warranty 2 Year Warranty
Instruction Manual PDF - Celestron Firstscope Model #21024
Software Starry Night Basic Edition (internet download)
2 Year Telescope Warranty
Review
https://telescopicwatch.com/celestron-21024-firstscope-telescope-review/
https://www.space.com/celestron-firstscope-76-telescope-review.html
http://www.scopereviews.com/page1ae.html
https://telescopeobserver.com/celestron-firstscope-telescope-review/
Celestron FirstScope - Index
https://otisastro.blogspot.com/2020/08/celestron-firstscope-index.html
* Eyepiece testing
* Image Processing with FirstScope images
* Connecting ASI224MC CMOS camera
* Solar astrophotography
* Planetary moons capture
* Observing spree
* List of bright objects to view
* Measure light pollution
* Build a mini astro weather station
* Using NightCap iPhone App
* Image gallery
Telescope Commercial Advertising Description
FirstScope pays tribute to the men and women who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us! In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists by displaying their names around the optical tube. We honor the contributions of these men and women, who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us.
The FirstScope is a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy. This quality Dobsonian style telescope features a 76 mm aperture reflector optical tube. FirstScope is an ideal entry level astronomical telescope. It is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object, making the viewing experience a snap! The compact design makes it easy enough to take with you on your next outdoor adventure. FirstScope is also stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on your bookshelf or desk. A high quality Dobsonian style stand with a 76 mm reflector optical tube make FirstScope an ideal entry level astronomical telescope. A portable and lightweight table-top design makes it easy to store, transport and setup your FirstScope Telescope. FirstScope is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object. The stylish and decorative design makes FirstScope a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy.
The FirstScope Telescope by Celestron is a 76 mm (2.99-inch) aperture Newtonian Reflector Telescope on a single-arm Dobsonian Cradle Mount (table-top). Its easy-use and portability make it an ideal entry-level astronomical telescope. Expand your possibilities by adding the Celestron FirstScope Telescope Accessory Kit. The Celestron FirstScope Telescope - IYA Edition Features: Observing is quick and easy, simply navigate the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of your desired object. It’s portable! Take it with you on your next outdoor adventure with its compact and lightweight design. When not in use, its stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on your bookshelf or desk. Named official product of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. In 2009, four centuries later, Celestron introduced the FirstScope Telescope to pay tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists. Their names are on display around the optical tube. OPT Product Number: CE-21024 $54.95. Accessories kit CE-21024-ACC $22.25.
Specs
FirstScope Telescope - Item # 21024
Manufacturer - Celestron
Country Origin - Made in China
Optical Design - Newtonian Reflector
Telescope type - Table-Top
Aperture 76mm (2.99")
Focal Length 300mm (12")
Focal Ratio 3.95
Camera/Eyepiece Connection 1.25" Nosepiece
Type of Eyepieces - plastic lenses
1.25-inch Eyepiece #1: H 20 mm (0.79"), 15x magnification
1.25-inch Eyepiece #2: SR 4 mm (0.16"), 75x magnification
Highest Useful Magnification (50x/") - 150x
Lowest Useful Magnification (with a 1" fl ep) - 12x
Resolution (Rayleigh) - 1.83 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes) - 1.53 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) - 118x
Mount Design Single Arm Alt-Azimuth
Limiting Magnitude 11.8-13.1
http://www.twcac.org/Tutorials/limiting_magnitude_table.htm
http://www.twcac.org/Tutorials/magnify4.htm#Magnification%20Calculator
Warranty 2 Year Warranty
Instruction Manual PDF - Celestron Firstscope Model #21024
Software Starry Night Basic Edition (internet download)
2 Year Telescope Warranty
Review
https://telescopicwatch.com/celestron-21024-firstscope-telescope-review/
https://www.space.com/celestron-firstscope-76-telescope-review.html
http://www.scopereviews.com/page1ae.html
https://telescopeobserver.com/celestron-firstscope-telescope-review/
Celestron FirstScope - Index
https://otisastro.blogspot.com/2020/08/celestron-firstscope-index.html
