Celestron 21063 AstroMaster 90 AZ Refractor Telescope

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 42.2 x 15.2 x 9.8 inches ; 20 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000MLL6QO
• Item model number: 21063
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #8 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Refractors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 24, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Celestron’s Astromaster 90AZ refractor telescope is a good choice for anyone who wants a dual purpose telescope. With more than double the light gathering power of 60mm starter scopes, it’s a great introduction to astronomy and it can double as a long range spotting scope. Bigger and more impressive than it looks in pictures, the Astromaster 90AZ is an adult size telescope that stands nearly five feet high and weighs about 20 pounds. With it’s fully illustrated quick set up guide, the telescope is easy to assemble, and the package includes an erect image prism, high and low power eyepieces, and astronomy software for your PC.

Refractors are known for their crisp, high contrast views of the Moon and planets and the Astromaster 90 delivers sharp views right out of the box. The low power 20mm eyepiece (50X magnification) nicely frames the moon, while the high power 10mm eyepiece (100X magnification) delivers a crisp close up image full of detail. The sharp Achromatic optics of the Astromaster 90AZ show me memorable views night after night. On a moonless night I like the way the 20mm eyepiece frames the ghostly glow of the Orion Nebula. Zooming in with the 10mm eyepiece, I can easily pick out all four stars of the Orion Nebula’s embedded quadruple star the Trapezium.

The AstroMaster 90 AZ also features a newly designed Alt-Azimuth mount and tripod. The tripod comes fully assembled, and the telescope simply clamps into a standard dovetail. This new tripod seems reasonably solid, I had no trouble focusing on the Moon and stars even with the high power eyepiece. An Alt-azimuth mount, of course, is best used at low to medium powers because it does not track the motion of the stars. As soon as you get the Moon centered in the eyepiece, it starts drifting toward the edge-this is caused by rotation of the Earth. Celestial objects will stay in the low power field of view for three or four minutes, but with a high power eyepiece they may disappear in a minute or less.

Celestron’s AstroMaster 90 AZ is one entry level telescope that offers great views during the daytime as well as at night. The sharp optics produce a right side up image, the mount is easy to use, and the included planetarium software helps you find planets in the night sky. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Crisp clear views both day and night
• Rugged refractor design
• Quick and easy no-tool set up
• Erect image prism and two eyepieces included

Cons:

• Alt-Azimuth mount doesn’t track stars and planets
• Star pointer not so easy to use

Quarter Moon shot at 50X with a powershot camera.

Moon as seen at 100X, shot with powershot camera.

Moon as seen at 200X, shot with a powershot camera.

Finches shot at 50X at a distance of 20 yards.

Finch shot at 100X at a distance of 20 yards.

Product Description

If you're looking for a great dual-purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the Celestron AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving image correct views of land and sky. With its time tested durability and high quality optics at an affordable price, the Celestron Astro Master makes a great first telescope! As a bonus, Celestron has included a nice selection of accessories for your new telescope with this purchase, which means you will be observing the same day you unpack the box. Accessories include two full-sized eyepieces, a Star Pointer finderscope for easy location of objects you wish to observe, and even software for your PC. "The Sky - Level 1" will let you study and print star charts from your computer screen... and that's just the beginning!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Starter Refractor Telescope, October 31, 2010

By 

Archimedes - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron 21063 AstroMaster 90 AZ Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

The Celestron Astromaster 90Az Refractor telescope is a great little starter scope. Well I shouldn't really say "little" as it is about 3ft long or so. The Altazimuth tripod is perfect for beginners as you just use it like a normal camera tripod. I prefer this much more than an equatorial mount for quick viewing. If you are new to amateur astronomy you should do some research try to learn what to expect when buying a telescope so you can know what to expect view with it. This is a great telescope for viewing the moon and other planetary viewing, it also serves well for terrestrial viewing. But if you are expecting to view brilliant images like the ones Hubble takes then you probably will be disappointed.

I also have a 4.5 reflector telescope but I can honestly say I prefer this Celestron over the the 4.5 inch one. This refractor gives a much clearer image of objects like Jupiter and its moons than my 4.5 inch. I live in a very light polluted city and I can still see Jupiter and it's moons very clearly, I can just image what they would look like out in the country skies. The Moon looks spectacular. I suggest buying a 2X Barlow lens with this (or any) telescope.

If you are wanting to observe other things like deep sky objects (Nebulas, Galaxies...) I suggest you save your money and buy yourself large aperture dobsonian. Also try to keep in mind that what matters in a telescope isn't really the "zoom" factor as many telescopes try to advertise, but the amount of light it can gather. But if you want something portable and quick to set up and are interested mostly in viewing planets and the Moon, then for the price I highly recommend this scope.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic scope at a great price, September 4, 2010

By 

Lisa "Lisa" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron 21063 AstroMaster 90 AZ Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

I am very impressed with this telescope. I had a Meade reflector that cost twice as much. It didn't work well for me since there are so many trees around where I live. It was computer-driven. This is sort of like having a point and shoot camera as opposed to a complicated SLR.

The scope was incredibly easy to set up right out of the box. The 90mm is longer than I was expecting but still easy to carry and not heavy. I love the deep blue color. The only complaint I would have is that the accessories tray doesn't fold up with the tripod part, you have to remove it. That is the only drawback I've found thus far.

I was able to line up Jupiter easily and see it better than I have before. Could see 4 moons and the bands on it clearly. I haven't been able to see Saturn yet, but should be able to see its rings with the magnification it has with just the lenses that came with it. Can't wait to try out my barlow lens with it.

It has great power for such a low price. I still can't believe it was only $200. It is an incredible telescope. I would highly recommend it for beginners or advanced users.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really happy!!, December 26, 2010

By 

Navywife0405 (Misawa-shi, Japan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron 21063 AstroMaster 90 AZ Refractor Telescope (Electronics)

I bought this for my kids for christmas. I didn't want a cheap one so I went with a middle of the road model. We love it! The first night we had it out only took us a couple of tries and we were looking at the moon! My son and husband were able to find some stars. We bought some books to go along and we will start using those to see more in the sky! We are very happy with this telescope. We are beginners just to let you know.