Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope

by Celestron

Product Details

Product Manual [4.75mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 25 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004ZD38
• Item model number: 114-GT
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,735 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #42 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Reflectors
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 29, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Celestron likes to say, "the only simple thing about NexStar is its operation," and we have to agree. The sophisticated NexStar 114 GT is quite easy to assemble, even for a complete novice. Once you put the scope together and mount it on the sturdy aluminum tripod (also included), simply take the hand control with illuminated dual 16-character LCD display, and dial in the date, location, and position of north. Using its quiet, high-precision servo motor, the NexStar automatically aligns itself with the night sky.

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

From there it is a breeze to select what you want to see using the computerized hand control, which features automatic slewing to over 4,000 celestial objects, as well as manual high-speed slewing and fine-centering at the touch of a button. Even a beginner can master this telescope within just a few observing sessions. Also provided: a Star Pointer finderscope designed to help you point the telescope while scanning the sky with both eyes, the Sky Level I CD-ROM with a database of 10,000 celestial objects, and a sturdy, adjustable aluminum tripod with an accessory tray.

Featuring a 114mm (4.5-inch) diameter Newtonian reflector with a focal length of 1,000mm (focal ratio of f/9), this telescope affords approximately 265 times the light-gathering power of the naked eye. And, with the two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) included here, it offers maximum magnifications of 40x and 100x, making it capable of revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. The NexStar 114 Newtonian reflector has 265 times the light gathering power of the average human eye, revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. This compact design brings objects into view with a 114mm aperture, 1000mm focal length capable of achieving magnifications of 40x and 100x with the included eyepieces.

Its large 4.5" diameter outshines smaller scopes. Polar caps on Mars become visible along with the cloud belts on Jupiter. The rings of Saturn are also clearly visible. Perhaps most exciting is the sheer variety of deep sky objects (stars, clusters, nebulae). Because of their optical design, reflectors are best suited for astronomical use.

Specifications summarized:

• 114mm (4.5") diameter Newtonian Reflector
• Focal Length of 1000mm
• Focal Ratio of f/9
• Weight: 15.5 Lbs.

Standard accessories for the NexStar 114 GT:

• 25mm (40x) and 10mm (100x) 1.25" SMA Eyepieces
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• The Sky Level I CD-ROM
• Sturdy, Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray
• GT models come with the complete Go-To computer hand control

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 NexStar 114.

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.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts of the NexStar 114 GT

Lens Cover Optical Tube Fork Arm Tripod Accessory Tray w/ hand control holder Hand Control Collimation Adjustment Knobs Tube Ring Eyepiece Star Pointer Finderscope

Product Description

Celestron NexStar 114GT Specifications **Brightness Rating of 3.5 **Limiting Stellar Magnitude of 12 -- **114mm (4.5") Reflector -- **1000mm f/9 Focal Length -- **Star Pointer Finderscope -- **Motorized Altazimuth Mount -- **25mm SMA (40x) and 10mm SMA (100x) Eyepieces -- **Accessory Tray -- **Fully Computerized -- **4,000 Object Database -- **Assembled Weight: 15.5 lbs. -- The NexStar 114 Newtonian reflector has 265 times the light gathering power of the average human eye, revealing fine detail within galaxies and nebulae. This compact design brings objects into view with a 114mm aperture, 1000mm focal length capable of achieving magnifications of 40x and 100x with the included eyepieces. -- Its large 4.5" diameter outshines smaller scopes. Polar caps on Mars become visible along with the cloud belts on Jupiter. The rings of Saturn are clearly visible. Most exciting is the wide variety of deep sky objects (stars, clusters, nebulae). Because of their optical design, reflectors are best suited for astronomical use. -- All you need to know is the general direction of North, your closest major city (included in the instruction manual), plus the date and time, and you will be observing planets, stars and more within moments. -- NexStar computerized telescopes are so straightforward, astronomers at all levels can locate over 4,000 pre-programmed stars, planets, and other celestial objects right out of the box. Plus, fully assembled tripod ad pre-installed electronics make set up quick (taking only seconds) and simple. -- All of our NexStar Telescopes come equippped with 2- 1.25" eyepieces and everything you need including the hand controller. -- Limited Quantities Available - On Sale Now!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

198 of 213 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine quality, but not the best way to spend your dollars, March 19, 2001

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

This scope is certainly the best of the automated 4-1/2" scopes, but at the same time, I think spending that much on such a small scope is really not the best way to allocate your telescope dollars. Adding automation to this little scope more than doubles the price of the scope- and if you can afford that much, you'd be far better off with a larger scope.

For the cost of this scope, you can buy an 8" or 10" "dobsonian" reflector from Celestron, Meade and other suppliers that has much greater light gathering capacity and much higher resolution. There's just no comparison between the views you'd get in a little scope like this and those from a larger scope. Automation is better used on much larger scopes where it's a smaller part of teh purchase price.

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Starter Scope, January 27, 2002

By 

Richard Rathe "rrathe" (Earleton, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

This scope is one of the best in the under [a high price] catagory. I bought it because it was a complete package (scope, eyepieces, "go to" computer, and full-sized tripod). It performs well and lives up to the hype on the box. The "go to" feature really works - the sought after object is almost always somewhere in the low power field of view. The only flaw is the battery pack, which seems like an afterthought and is always getting tangled. As another reviewer noted, the tube tends to bump the mount when viewing objects overhead, which forces you to realign unnecessarily...

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celestron Nexstar 114 GT Telescope, October 9, 2000

By 

E. Colucci (Glassboro, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestron Nexstar 114GT 114mm Go-To Reflector Telescope (Electronics)

The Celestron Nexstar 114GT Telescope is wonderfully easy to assemble. From the box to fully assembled takes a matter of minutes. I myself am not a great reader of directions and the assembly process does not require a degree in engineering. The alignment process does require a compass for accuracy. A small level would also be useful. Perhaps this could be considered in an updated version with a small compass and level built into the telescope's framework. The price is competitive and accessories are available for computer aided star alignment. I like it.