Is This Your First Telescope?

Telescopes in the Celestron FirstScope Series, like the 114EQShort reflector, are designed with the first-time telescope user in mind. These scopes feature compact and portable designs with more than enough optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of astronomy, while at the same time offering exceptional value. All telescopes in the series have glass (not plastic) optical elements--fully/aluminum-coated for enhanced brightness and clarity--and smooth-operating aluminum tripod mountings with slow-motion controls. Celestron also includes with every FirstScope model The Sky L1 CD-ROM, packed with information to help you get the most enjoyment out of your new telescope.

A Shorter Reflector

The Celestron FirstScope114EQShort version of the 4.5" Newtonian reflector boasts more portability than the standard longer tube Newtonian with no sacrifice of power or performance. Only 18" long, this short tube model has a built-in correction lens, giving it the same 1,000mm focal length of the long-tube model, while reducing aberrations. The equatorial mount--intended for astronomical use only--is quite stable, with setting circles and slow-motion controls on both axes for easy, smooth tracking. This telescope will provide breathtaking views of Jupiter's moons and belts, Saturn's rings, nebulae, and star clusters.

Reflectors Do It With Mirrors

A Newtonian reflector telescope design uses a single concave mirror, instead of an objective lens as in a refractor, as its primary optical element. Light enters the front of the optical tube and travels down to the mirror at the back end where it is bent forward in the tube to a single point, called the focal point. A flat mirror near the front of the tube intercepts the light and reflects it at a right angle to the eyepiece on the side of the tube. This design replaces the heavy lenses of refractors with mirrors to collect and focus the light, giving you much more light-gathering power for your money. Newtonian reflectors are excellent for viewing faint, deep-sky objects like remote galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters because of their generally fast focal ratios. They produce a right-side-up image, but the image will appear rotated based on the location of the eyepiece holder in relation to the ground. Newtonian reflectors are best for astronomical observation where image orientation is not important. These telescopes are not well suited for terrestrial use; they don't make good spotting scopes.

A Solid Tripod Comes Standard

If you ever try to use a standard photographic tripod for astronomical observing, you'll soon understand the need for a stable platform for your telescope. The slightest touch induces so much vibration that your target will dance right out of view. To be sure your tripod is up to the task, the FirstScope114EQShort includes a sturdy aluminum tripod with a built-in accessory tray. And for added versatility and greater viewing comfort, this tripod adjusts for height. You can easily set it to match your standing height or have the option of viewing from a seated position. Make the Celestron FirstScope Series your first choice for your first telescope.

Included With Purchase

Two 1.25" eyepieces: 20mm (50x) and 10mm (100x), StarPointer finderscope, and The Sky L1 CD-ROM.

Comparison Specifications

• Newtonian Reflector Optical Design
• Manual Tracking
• 114mm (4.5") Optical Diameter
• 1,000mm Focal Length, f/9
• Fully/Aluminum-Coated Glass Lenses
• 1.21 Arcseconds Resolution (Rayleigh)
• 269x Maximum Practical Magnification
• 1.14 Arcseconds Dawes Limit
• Adjustable Aluminum Tripod With Accessory Tray
• Equatorial Mount With Setting Circles

Additional Specifications

• 1.25" 20mm (50x) And 10mm (100x) Eyepieces
• 12.8 Limiting Stellar Magnitude
• Slow-Motion Adjustment Cables
• Aluminum Optical Tube
• 265x Unaided Eye Light-Gathering Power
• 1.0 Degree Field-Of-View With Standard Eyepiece
• 52.5-Foot Field-Of-View At 1,000 Yards
• 1.6" Secondary Mirror Obstruction (36% By Diameter, 13% By Area)

Dimensional Specifications

• Optical Tube Size (Diameter x Length): About 4.75" x 19"
• Telescope Weight: 16 lbs.

Celestron First Scope 114EQ Short Warranty Details

Two-Year Warranty