The NexStar SE series is Celestron’s latest development, designed with maximum portability and ease of use in mind. The smallest model in the series is a high-quality 102 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, featuring Celestron’s advanced XLT coatings on its optical surfaces for excellent light transmission. Observing and astrophotography are aided by the built-in flip mirror, allowing you to switch between 90° and 45° viewing angles.
The NexStar hand controller provides GoTo operation: it stores data for nearly 40,000 objects and can automatically point the telescope at any of them. It features Celestron’s proprietary SkyAlign alignment method, considered by many to be the most user-friendly alignment procedure. There is no need to know the names or positions of stars; simply align the mount using three bright stars. The mount allows the use of any telescope fitted with a Vixen-compatible dovetail bar. The latest software version can always be downloaded from the internet, and PC control is also supported.
A stable base is provided by the steel-tripod mount, which also includes a built-in equatorial wedge.
The telescope can also be powered by batteries, although this is not recommended, and it features an external power connection for operation from a car cigarette lighter socket or a SkyWatcher PowerTank battery. An optional 12 V AC adapter is required for operation from a 220 V mains supply.
