Celestron - NexStar 90SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 90mm Aperture

Celestron's NexStar 90 SLT is the most compact telescope in Celestron's computerized NexStar line, with excellent Maksutov-Cassegrain optics that deliver delightful views of the Moon and planets. The NexStar 90 SLT package includes everything but the batteries. With a fully illustrated quick set-up guide, no tools are needed to assemble the telescope with its steel tripod, motorized mount, and computer hand control. Two eyepieces are included, a 25mm for 50X magnification and a 9mm eyepiece for 139X. The package even includes the latest version of "The Sky X", software that turns your PC into a virtual planetarium.

The Maksutov optical design of the NexStar 90 SLT gives the telescope a focal length of 1250mm in an optical tube only twelve inches long. This long focal length is ideal for bringing out detail on the Moon and planets. When I look at the Moon for example, the view is crisp and clear with no trace of false color. When I look at Saturn I can easily push the magnification to 200X with an optional 6mm plossl eyepiece. When I look at deep space objects I often like to use an optional 32mm plossl eyepiece (39X magnification) because objects like M45 the Pleiades cluster and M31 the Andromeda galaxy look better with a wider field of view.

The NexStar 90 SLT also features Celestron's patented SkyAlign technology. With SkyAlign I don't need a star chart or a compass to align the telescope, I just enter the date and time then point the telescope at three bright stars. SkyAlign tells me the star names, and allows the telescope to find over 4,000 stars, planets, and galaxies by just pushing a button. The accurate tracking makes it easy to get high power views of the planets, and allowed me to take some great pictures using a Celestron NexImage webcam. I also like the "Two-Star align" and "Solar System align" modes because I can often get the NexStar system up and running while older scopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in he twilight.

I enjoy using the NexStar 90SLT because it has excellent optics in a compact, twelve pound package that I can carry outside in one trip and be ready to go in minutes. A computerized telescope may take practice to set up; if I don't enter the time correctly the alignment may fail for example. The other drawback of a computerized telescope, of course, is the short life of standard AA batteries. A rechargeable 12-Volt battery is a handy way to power the NexStar 90SLT, and I like to keep the tripod legs short and observe while seated because this gives me a solid and comfortable view. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent optics
• Compact and portable
• Easy computerized go-to tracking
• "The Sky X" planetarium software included

• Short battery life with AA batteries

Suggested Options:

• Celestron Accessory Kit 
• Celestron PowerTank battery

Quarter Moon shot at 50X with a Powershot camera

Quarter Moon closeup shot at 200X with Neximage camera

Crater Ptolemaeus shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow

Planet Mars shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow

Planet Saturn shot at 400x with Neximage and 2x barlow