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're curious about exploring the night sky without dealing with complicated manual adjustments, the Celestron Astro Fi 102-Astro is an excellent choice. This smart telescope brings celestial observation to your fingertips—literally. Using your smartphone or tablet as a controller, you can effortlessly locate and track celestial bodies.
Whether you're interested in viewing the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, or Jupiter’s Galilean moons, this 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope delivers sharp images while keeping setup and navigation stress-free. It’s perfect for beginners, families, and even experienced users looking for a portable, app-controlled telescope.
✨ James Webb Nebula Gallery
History of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Some 5,000 light years (2,900 trillion miles) from Earth, in the constellation Puppis, is the 1.4 light years (more than 8 trillion miles) long Calabash Nebula, referred to as the Rotten Egg Nebula because of its sulfur content which would produce an awful odor if one could smell in space. This image of the nebula captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST) depicts violent gas collisions that produced supersonic shock fronts in a dying star. Stars, like our sun, will eventually die and expel most of their material outward into shells of gas and dust These shells eventually form some of the most beautiful objects in the universe, called planetary nebulae. The yellow in the image depicts the material ejected from the central star zooming away at speeds up to one and a half million kilometers per hour (one million miles per hour). Due to the high speeds of the gas, shock-fronts are formed on impact and heat the surrounding gas. Although computer calculations have predicted the existence and structure of such shocks for some time, previous observations have not been able to prove the theory.
Crab Nebula
The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant, all that remains of a tremendous stellar explosion. Observers in China and Japan recorded the supernova nearly 1,000 years ago, in 1054. Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Hester and A. Loll (Arizona State University) The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute conducts Hubble science operations. Goddard is responsible for HST project management, including mission and science operations, servicing missions, and all associated development activities. To learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope go here: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.htmlNASA Goddard Space Flight Center 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. Follow us on TwitterJoin us on Facebook
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
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.
Into the Depths of the Lagoon Nebula
Swirling dust clouds and bright newborn stars dominate the view in this image of the Lagoon nebula from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope. The nebula lies in the general direction of the center of our galaxy in the constellation Sagittarius.
Planetary Nebula
This planetary nebula's simple, graceful appearance is thought to be due to perspective: our view from Earth looking straight into what is actually a barrel-shaped cloud of gas shrugged off by a dying central star. Hot blue gas near the energizing central star gives way to progressively cooler green and yellow gas at greater distances with the coolest red gas along the outer boundary. Credit: NASA/Hubble Heritage Team ---- The Ring Nebula's distinctive shape makes it a popular illustration for astronomy books. But new observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of the glowing gas shroud around an old, dying, sun-like star reveal a new twist. "The nebula is not like a bagel, but rather, it's like a jelly doughnut, because it's filled with material in the middle," said C. Robert O'Dell of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He leads a research team that used Hubble and several ground-based telescopes to obtain the best view yet of the iconic nebula. The images show a more complex structure than astronomers once thought and have allowed them to construct the most precise 3-D model of the nebula. "With Hubble's detail, we see a completely different shape than what's been thought about historically for this classic nebula," O'Dell said. "The new Hubble observations show the nebula in much clearer detail, and we see things are not as simple as we previously thought." The Ring Nebula is about 2,000 light-years from Earth and measures roughly 1 light-year across. Located in the constellation Lyra, the nebula is a popular target for amateur astronomers. Read more: 1.usa.gov/14VAOMkNASA 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
Product Features & Buying Considerations
📱 Wireless Control with Celestron SkyPortal App
The standout feature of the Astro Fi 102-Astro is its WiFi capability. Forget manual knobs—simply use your device to align, navigate, and observe your favorite objects. This makes it ideal for those who want to enjoy astronomy without a steep learning curve.
🔭 Optical Performance: 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
This telescope offers a 1325mm focal length with a 102mm aperture, providing clear views of the Moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. The Maksutov-Cassegrain design ensures compact size without sacrificing clarity.
🧠 Computerized Alt-Azimuth Mount
It comes with a fully automated mount that aligns itself using GPS and star pattern recognition. Once aligned, it can automatically track over 120,000 celestial objects.
💼 Portable and Tool-Free Assembly
Weighing around 10 lbs, this telescope is easily transportable. It assembles in minutes and doesn’t require tools—perfect for impromptu stargazing trips or camping.
💰 Price Point
Typically priced under $500, the Astro Fi 102-Astro balances performance with affordability. It’s less expensive than many high-end GoTo models but offers similar smart functionality.
Who Should Buy the Astro Fi 102-Astro?
📱 Tech-savvy beginners who want app-based control
👨👩👧👦 Families looking for an educational activity
🌕 Lunar and planetary observers
🚙 Campers and travelers needing a compact telescope
🎁 Gift-givers searching for a wow-factor astronomy tool
What can I see with the Celestron Astro Fi 102-Astro?You can view the Moon in detail, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, Venus phases, star clusters, and some brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula.
Is the Astro Fi 102-Astro suitable for beginners?Yes, it is specifically designed for beginners with its app-controlled system and automated tracking.
Does the telescope come with eyepieces?Yes, it typically includes two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a smartphone holder, and a red dot finder.
Do I need internet access to use the SkyPortal app?No, the telescope creates its own WiFi network. You don’t need an external internet connection.
What power source does it use?The Astro Fi 102-Astro uses 8 AA batteries or an optional external power tank.
Can I attach a camera for astrophotography?Yes, though it's best suited for lunar and planetary imaging. You'll need a T-ring and adapter.
Is this telescope portable?Yes, it’s compact and light enough to take on trips or use in your backyard.
Does it work with Android and iOS?Yes, the Celestron SkyPortal app is compatible with both platforms.