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The Celestron Astro Fi 102 is a beginner-friendly smart telescope that brings the universe closer with just a tap on your smartphone. Whether you're gazing at craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, or deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, this telescope is designed for those new to astronomy but hungry for celestial detail.
Ideal for curious minds, families, students, and amateur stargazers, the Astro Fi 102 offers a hands-on, tech-enabled stargazing experience. Its 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optics deliver sharp, contrast-rich views—perfect for observing the Moon, Jupiter’s bands, Saturn’s rings, and even some brighter galaxies and star clusters.
✨ James Webb Nebula Gallery
Cygnus Loop Nebula
Wispy tendrils of hot dust and gas glow brightly in this ultraviolet image of the Cygnus Loop nebula, taken by NASA Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The nebula lies about 1,500 light-years away.
WISE Spies the Tarantula Nebula
Sending chills down the spine of all arachnophobes is the Tarantula nebula, seen in this image from NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer; the nebula is the largest star-forming region known in our entire Local Group of galaxies.
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.
Godzilla Nebula Imaged by Spitzer
This colorful image shows a nebula – a cloud of gas and dust in space – captured by NASA's now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope located is in the constellation Sagittarius, along the plane of the Milky Way, which was as part of Spitzer's GLIMPSE Survey (short for Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire). With a little imagination, you might be able to see the outlines of Godzilla. Stars in the upper right (where this cosmic Godzilla's eyes and snout would be) are an unknown distance from Earth but within our galaxy. Located about 7,800 light-years from Earth, the bright region in the lower left (Godzilla's right hand) is known as W33. When viewed in visible light, this region is almost entirely obscured by dust clouds. But infrared light (wavelengths longer than what our eyes can perceive) can penetrate the clouds, revealing hidden regions like this one. Blue, cyan, green, and red are used to represent different wavelengths of infrared light; yellow and white are combinations of those wavelengths. Blue and cyan represent wavelengths primarily emitted by stars; dust and organic molecules called hydrocarbons appear green; and warm dust that's been heated by stars or supernovae (exploding stars) appears red. When massive stars die and explode into supernovae, they reshape the regions around them, carving them into different shapes; they also push material together and initiate the birth of new stars that continue the cycle. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA24579
Hubble sniffs out a brilliant star death in a “rotten egg” nebula
The Calabash Nebula, pictured here — which has the technical name OH 231.8+04.2 — is a spectacular example of the death of a low-mass star like the sun. This image taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the star going through a rapid transformation from a red giant to a planetary nebula, during which it blows its outer layers of gas and dust out into the surrounding space. The recently ejected material is spat out in opposite directions with immense speed — the gas shown in yellow is moving close to one million kilometers per hour (621,371 miles per hour). Astronomers rarely capture a star in this phase of its evolution because it occurs within the blink of an eye — in astronomical terms. Over the next thousand years the nebula is expected to evolve into a fully-fledged planetary nebula. The nebula is also known as the Rotten Egg Nebula because it contains a lot of sulphur, an element that, when combined with other elements, smells like a rotten egg — but luckily, it resides over 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Puppis. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt NASA image use policy.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 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. Follow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookFind us on Instagram
Doradus Nebula
A panoramic view of a vast, sculpted area of gas and dust where thousands of stars are being born has been captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The image, taken by Hubble's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, is online at http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2001/21/image/a/. The camera was designed and built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The photo offers an unprecedented, detailed view of the entire inner region of the fertile, star-forming 30 Doradus Nebula. The mosaic picture shows that ultraviolet radiation and high-speed material unleashed by the stars in the cluster, called R136 (the large blue blob left of center), are weaving a tapestry of creation and destruction, triggering the collapse of looming gas and dust clouds and forming pillar-like structures that incubate newborn stars. The 30 Doradus Nebula is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way located 170,000 light-years from Earth. Nebulas like 30 Doradus are signposts of recent star birth. High-energy ultraviolet radiation from young, hot, massive stars in R136 causes surrounding gaseous material to glow. Previous Hubble telescope observations showed that R136 contains several dozen of the most massive stars known, each about 100 times the mass of the Sun and about 10 times as hot. These stellar behemoths formed about 2 million years ago. The stars in R136 produce intense "stellar winds," streams of material traveling at several million miles an hour. These winds push the gas away from the cluster and compress the inner regions of the surrounding gas and dust clouds (seen in the image as the pinkish material). The intense pressure triggers the collapse of parts of the clouds, producing a new star formation around the central cluster. Most stars in the nursery are not visible because they are still encased in cocoons of gas and dust. This mosaic image of 30 Doradus consists of five overlapping pictures taken between January 1994 and September 2000 by the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2. Several color filters enhance important details in the stars and the nebula. Blue corresponds to the hot stars. The greenish color denotes hot gas energized by the central cluster of stars. Pink depicts the glowing edges of the gas and dust clouds facing the cluster, which are being bombarded by winds and radiation. Reddish-brown represents the cooler surfaces of the clouds, which are not receiving direct radiation from the central cluster. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA04200
Product Features: Why Choose the Celestron Astro Fi 102?
Maksutov-Cassegrain Optics for Crisp Views
The telescope features a 102mm (4-inch) aperture with a long focal length, ideal for planetary and lunar observation. The optical design excels at reducing chromatic aberration, giving you crisp images even at higher magnifications.
Wireless App Control (No Hand Controller Needed)
Say goodbye to complicated manual alignment. The Astro Fi 102 connects directly to your smartphone or tablet via WiFi, allowing you to control the telescope using the free Celestron SkyPortal App.Tap an object on your screen, and the telescope slews to it automatically!
SkyAlign Technology for Easy Setup
With SkyAlign, all you need to do is point the scope at three bright objects in the sky. The system will triangulate your position and calibrate automatically, so you can start observing right away—even with little knowledge of the night sky.
Portable & Lightweight
Weighing under 16 lbs, this telescope is perfect for travel or backyard stargazing. It’s compact enough to fit in a car trunk and sturdy enough for reliable performance.
Great Value for the Features
While not the cheapest telescope on the market, the Astro Fi 102 offers exceptional value by combining high-quality optics with smart control features. It strikes the perfect balance between affordability and functionality for new astronomers.
How to Choose a Telescope Like the Astro Fi 102
When selecting a beginner telescope, consider the following:
Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain is ideal for planetary viewing due to its long focal length and compact build.
Aperture Size: A 102mm aperture gathers ample light to see most solar system targets and many brighter deep-sky objects.
Mount Type: A motorized Alt-Azimuth mount with GoTo functionality makes target finding a breeze.
Tech Features: WiFi connectivity and app control enhance usability, especially for digital natives.
Budget: Expect to invest around $400–$500 USD for a telescope in this class with reliable performance and longevity.
If you're looking for a reliable, user-friendly, and smart telescope for beginners , the Celestron Astro Fi 102 is an excellent choice. With its powerful optics and app-controlled mount, it’s like having a guided tour of the cosmos in your backyard.
What can I see with the Celestron Astro Fi 102?You can observe the Moon in detail, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and bright deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and Pleiades Cluster.
Does the Astro Fi 102 work without WiFi?No, the telescope requires a WiFi connection to your smartphone or tablet for full functionality via the SkyPortal app.
Is the Astro Fi 102 good for beginners?Yes, it is specifically designed for beginners, offering automated tracking, app-based control, and easy alignment.
Can I use the Celestron Astro Fi 102 for astrophotography?It’s suitable for basic astrophotography like Moon shots using a smartphone adapter, but not ideal for long-exposure deep-sky imaging.
How is it powered?The telescope runs on 8 AA batteries or an external 12V power supply (not included).
Can I use the telescope in the city?Yes, it performs well for planetary and lunar viewing even in light-polluted areas, though deep-sky viewing is better in dark-sky locations.
Is a smartphone or tablet required?Yes, you need a smart device with the SkyPortal app installed to control the telescope.