Introduction: Why Choose the Celestron Astro Fi 102?
Product Dimensions : 34inch D x 30inch W x 50inch H Objective Lens Diameter : 102 Millimeters Power Source : Adapter Optical Tube Length : 381 Millimeters
Control your telescope via integrated WiFi using the free Celestron Sky Portal app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devicesSee On Amazon
If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wished for a closer look at the craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, or the Galilean moons of Jupiter, the Celestron Astro Fi 102 might be the perfect starting point. Designed for amateur astronomers and tech-savvy beginners, this smart telescope combines user-friendly features with reliable optics to open up the universe to anyone with a smartphone.
The Celestron Astro Fi 102 is a 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope equipped with a fully computerized mount. It’s ideal for backyard stargazing, casual astrophotography, and educational purposes. Whether you’re a parent introducing astronomy to a curious child, a student passionate about science, or a complete beginner seeking a hands-free stargazing experience—this telescope is made with you in mind.
✨ James Webb Nebula Gallery
Inside the Flame Nebula
This composite image shows one of the clusters, NGC 2024, which is found in the center of the so-called Flame Nebula about 1,400 light years from Earth. Astronomers have studied two star clusters using NASA Chandra and infrared telescopes.
NASA Explores the Carina Nebula by Touch
Release Date March 30, 2010 The raised arcs, lines, dots, and other markings in this 17-by-11-inch Hubble Space Telescope image of the Carina Nebula highlight important features in the giant gas cloud, allowing visually impaired people to feel what they cannot see and form a picture of the nebula in their minds. To read more abou this image go to: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/carina-touch.html" rel="nofollow">www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/carina-touch.html</a> Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Mutchler (STScI/AURA) and N. Grice (You Can Do Astronomy LLC) <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe.
The Eagle Nebula Observed by WISE
The dusty face of the Eagle Nebula and its surroundings are revealed in this image based on data from NASA's Wide Field Survey Explorer (WISE). WISE detects infrared light, or a range of wavelengths longer than what the human eye can see. This large star forming region is about 5,700 light years away from Earth and is most famous for being home to the the "Pillars of Creation," a region famously imaged by NASA's Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. The WISE data reveals the entire structure of the nebula surrounding the pillars, which themselves can be seen as a faint yellow-green feature inside the white circle. While the WISE view of the "Pillars" is not as sharp as those taken by Webb and Hubble, the telescope's wide field of view allows us to explore the extended nebula around it. When viewed in visible light, the dust is dark and opaque. In these infrared wavelengths, the dust becomes more translucent, and emits infrared light, shown in green, yellow, and red in this image. The data used in this image came from WISE's primary mission which ran from 2009 to 2011. In 2013, NASA took the spacecraft out of hibernation and began using it to track and study near-Earth objects. The mission and the spacecraft were renamed NEOWISE. However, the data is still being used by astronomers to study objects and regions outside our solar system. Blue and cyan are used to represent infrared light at wavelengths of 3.4 and 4.6 microns, while green and red display longer wavelengths of 12 and 22 microns, respectively. Animation available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25433
ARC-2010-ACD10-0054-007
Nebula Containerized Server at the NASA Ames Research Center.
Hubble View of a Nitrogen-Rich Nebula
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a planetary nebula named NGC 6153, located about 4,000 light-years away in the southern constellation of Scorpius (The Scorpion). The faint blue haze across the frame shows what remains of a star like the sun after it has depleted most of its fuel. When this happens, the outer layers of the star are ejected, and get excited and ionized by the energetic ultraviolet light emitted by the bright hot core of the star, forming the nebula. NGC 6153 is a planetary nebula that is elliptical in shape, with an extremely rich network of loops and filaments, shown clearly in this Hubble image. However, this is not what makes this planetary nebula so interesting for astronomers. Measurements show that NGC 6153 contains large amounts of neon, argon, oxygen, carbon and chlorine — up to three times more than can be found in the solar system. The nebula contains a whopping five times more nitrogen than our sun! Although it may be that the star developed higher levels of these elements as it grew and evolved, it is more likely that the star originally formed from a cloud of material that already contained a lot more of these elements. Text credit: European Space Agency Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Matej Novak <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>
Weighing in on the Dumbbell Nebula
The Dumbbell nebula, also known as Messier 27, pumps out infrared light in this image from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope. Planetary nebulae are now known to be the remains of stars that once looked a lot like our sun.
Product Features: What Makes the Astro Fi 102 Special?
Here are the key things to consider when choosing a beginner-friendly telescope like the Celestron Astro Fi 102:
Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
The Astro Fi 102 uses a Maksutov-Cassegrain design, which delivers sharp, high-contrast images in a compact form. With a focal length of 1325mm and focal ratio of f/13, it's great for observing:
The Moon in high detail
The rings of Saturn
Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons
Bright deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula or the Pleiades
Smartphone-Controlled Mount (No Hand Controller Needed)
No need to fumble with knobs or memorize star charts—the Astro Fi 102 can be controlled via the free SkyPortal app on your iOS or Android device. Simply connect via Wi-Fi (no internet required), and tap to align and point to any object in the sky.
SkyAlign Technology for Easy Setup
Worried about aligning your telescope? The SkyAlign system makes setup effortless. Just point to any three bright objects, and the telescope automatically determines its position. Even if you don't know what you’re looking at, the telescope will know.
Mount and Tripod: Stability and Portability
It comes with a sturdy, steel tripod and single-arm motorized mount, which are compact enough for travel but strong enough to reduce vibrations during use.
Budget Considerations
Priced in the mid-range category, the Astro Fi 102 offers a great value for features like wireless control, computerized tracking, and premium optics. It’s more affordable than many GoTo telescopes in its class, especially considering its portability and performance.
Should You Buy the Celestron Astro Fi 102?
If you're a beginner looking for a smart, compact, and easy-to-use telescope, the Celestron Astro Fi 102 is an excellent choice. With its wireless controls, hassle-free alignment, and reliable optics, it removes the frustration often associated with starting astronomy as a hobby.
Whether you're observing the Moon, tracking Saturn’s rings, or hosting a family star party, this telescope brings the cosmos to your fingertips.
What can I see with the Celestron Astro Fi 102?You can view the Moon, Saturn's rings, Jupiter’s moons, star clusters, and some bright nebulae and galaxies.
Does the Astro Fi 102 require Wi-Fi internet?No, it creates its own local Wi-Fi network to connect with your device.
Is this telescope suitable for astrophotography?It’s good for basic smartphone astrophotography, such as capturing the Moon and planets. It's not ideal for deep-sky imaging.
Does it come with eyepieces?Yes, it usually includes two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) for different magnification levels.
Can kids use the Astro Fi 102?Yes, with adult supervision. Its app-based control is intuitive for tech-savvy children.
What’s the difference between Astro Fi 102 and 130?The 102 is a Maksutov-Cassegrain with longer focal length and compact size, while the 130 is a Newtonian reflector with a wider aperture for brighter images.
How heavy is the Astro Fi 102?Fully assembled, it weighs approximately 16 lbs (7.2 kg), making it fairly portable.
Can I track objects automatically?Yes. Once aligned, the telescope can automatically track celestial objects as they move across the sky.