Celestron Firstscope 76EQ 76mm Reflector Telescope

by Celestron

Product Details

Product Manual [819kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 30.4 x 20.3 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000051TM2
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,732 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #74 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Refractors
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 22, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Celestron FirstScope Series of telescopes is designed with the first-time telescope buyer in mind. Offering exceptional value, these scopes feature compact and portable designs with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy. Each telescope has its own design characteristics to help you choose which is best for you. The smaller FirstScopes feature refractor optical designs while the larger apertures feature Newtonian reflector optical systems.

Reflectors     This is a reflector telescope. Reflectors (also known as Newtonian reflectors or catoptrics) capture light with a mirror at the bottom of a tube, which sends the image to the eyepiece at the top of the tube.    First-time telescope users sometimes have difficulty with the idea of looking through the side of a telescope, but the big draw for reflectors is that they are by far the cheapest to manufacture--and thus offer the best value--of all telescope types. They also generally have zero chromatic aberration.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

The FirstScope 76 is a fine instrument for the beginning observer. It offers many of the advantages of the Newtonian design at a 3" aperture. The superb optics of this telescope offer dazzling images of the moon; Saturn and its rings; Jupiter, with its belts and moons; and hundreds of deep-sky objects, including galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. The optical tube is glossy black. This model uses the German equatorial mount with setting circles and slow motion controls on both the right ascension (R.A.) and declination (DEC.) axes. These features make it easier to locate and track objects.

While observing, you'll notice that as the earth rotates on its axis, stationary stars appear to move across the sky. Thus, due to the earth's rotation, the object you're viewing will drift out of view in both axes, over time. A telescope on an equatorial mount can be aimed at a celestial object and guided with the slow motion controls to follow the object across the sky and keep it in the field of view of your telescope.

FirstScope 76 EQ Specifications:

• 76mm (3") Reflector
• 700mm Focal Length, f/9
• Equatorial Mount with Setting Circles and Slow Motion Adjustment Cables
• Sturdy Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray
• Telescope Weight: 15 lb.

FirstScope 76 EQ Standard Accessories:

• 1-1/4" 20mm (35x), 10mm (70x) Eyepieces
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• Equatorial Mount
• The Sky L1 CD ROM

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new FirstScope 76.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Product Description

A fine instrument for the beginning observer -- FirstScope 76 EQ features: -- **76mm (3") Reflector -- **700 mm Focal Length, f/9 -- **Sturdy mount with Setting Circles and Slow Motion Adjustment Cable -- **Sturdy Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray -- Weight: 15lb. -- Standard Accessories Include: -- **1 1/4" 20mm (35x), 10mm (70x) Eyepieces -- **Star Pointer Finderscope -- **Equatorial Mount -- The superb optics of this telescope offer dazzling images of the moon; Saturn and its rings; Jupiter with its belts and moons; as well as hundreds of deep-sky objects. -- The German equatorial mount and setting circles with slow motion controls make it easier to locate and track celestial objects. The telescope can be aimed and guided to follow them across the sky, keeping them in the field of view of your telescope.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great scope for new comers, March 4, 2006

By 

Amir "Amir" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron Firstscope 76EQ 76mm Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

I highly recommend this telescope for newcomers to astronomy. Assembly is simple and fast. Within 45 minutes of opening the box, I was observing the moon in fantastic detail. I would also recommend that you search the internet for a starmap. I found one on google that shows interesting objects in my local night sky in real time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moon and beyond!, October 21, 2008

By 

Cassandra Griffin "Crazy for aprons" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestron Firstscope 76EQ 76mm Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

This telescope was a gift for my hubby. He got it all set up and we were amazed at the quality and clarity of the product! Highly recommend!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good but..., March 9, 2010

By 

Pedro Rivera (Dardanelle, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron Firstscope 76EQ 76mm Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

I'm new to the telescope world, I guess I was expecting the magnification to be much better than we get with this telescope. Other than that, it works great and it's fairly easy to use. My kids love it and use it (weather permits) very often.