The Astro Fi 102 is a computerized alt-azimuth Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope perfect for terrestrial and celestial viewing on the go. The Astro Fi offers dazzling views of craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, the Hercules Globular Cluster and so much more at night. In addition, the star diagonal provides right side up viewing for using as a spotting scope during the day.
Setting up the telescope is a breeze and will have you observing in no time. Even on your first time out, you can assemble the telescope, its accessories, and download SkyPortal app in just a few minutes. The adjustable tripod legs allow you to customize the telescope’s height to your liking. The total telescope kit weighs just 16 pounds, making it perfect for impromptu observing sessions or transporting wherever life’s adventures take you.
For even more fun, Astro Fi’s lens cap does double duty as a smartphone adapter. Position your smartphone inside the adapter and then secure it over the Astro Fi’s eyepiece to capture images and video of all your discoveries.
Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design
The MAK is a catadioptric telescope, which means the optical design includes both a lens and a mirror. The light coming through a MAK passes through the corrector lens to the primary mirror and back to a spherical secondary mirror before it hits the eyepiece. Images are bright, sharp, and virtually free of chromatic aberration.
The Maksutov-Cassegrain’s optical design offers several unique benefits. Instead of a secondary mirror, the MAK features a “secondary spot” of reflective coating applied directly to the inside of the corrector plate. Because of this, the telescope does not require frequent collimation like a Schmidt-Cassegrain. Also, the secondary spot is significantly smaller than a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain secondary mirror, giving the MAK its signature high-contrast views.
One important thing to note about Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes is that the larger, heavier Maksutov corrector plate takes longer to cool down and adjust to ambient air temperature compared to a Schmidt-Cassegrain of the same aperture.
Computerized Alt-Azimuth telescope
Take in the sky with the computerized alt-azimuth telescope. This straightforward design allows the telescope to move in all directions.
Integrated WiFi & Celestron’s SkyPortal App
Control your telescope using your smart device. The Astro Fi series emits its own wireless connection to Celestron’s SkyPortal app to provide easy remote observing. Celestron’s SkyPortal app replaces the traditional telescope hand control for a 100% wireless experience. Scan the sky for an object you would like to view, tap the object in SkyPortal and watch your Astro Fi telescope automatically slews to the object. While observing, SkyPortal provides information on the object; it’s never been more fun to explore the universe!
NOTE: Due to the amount of information SkyPortal has to offer, we recommend downloading the app before going out to observe.
SkyAlign Technology
Getting ready to observe is quick and painless thanks to Celestron’s award-winning SkyAlign technology. Center any three bright objects in the eyepiece, and your telescope calculates its position. You can even generate a Sky Tour of all the best celestial objects to view based on your exact time and location.
Accessories Included
The Astro Fi 102 comes with two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a star diagonal, an integrated smartphone adapter, and a red dot finderscope. The two eyepieces offer different magnifications to view your intended object. The star diagonal provides a right-side-up viewing for a more comfortable viewing angle when looking up at the sky. The red dot finderscope will help you quickly center an object in your eyepiece for easier observing.
Lens Cap/Smartphone Adapter – Image celestial or terrestrial objects with this smartphone adapter! The Astro Fi lens cap has an integrated smartphone adapter to capture great images of the Moon, planets, and terrestrial targets like birds and wildlife. With its light, rigid frame, this accessory allows you to connect any smartphone to any telescope eyepiece with an outside diameter of 45mm or smaller. This smartphone adapter installs easily over the top of an eyepiece while bungee cords securely hold your phone in position so you can snap images or video. While the vast majority of smartphones can be used with the case on, some very large and/or bulky phone cases (such as folio style cases) may need to be removed for the phone to fit in the adapter. Smartphone not included.
Starry Night Software
Download Celestron’s Starry Night Software and learn about the night sky, celestial objects, and how to plan your next observing session. Celestron Starry Night Software is the premier astronomy software package on the market, providing resources and knowledge to view our solar system and beyond.
Optical Design: | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
Aperture: | 102mm (4.02") |
Focal Length: | 1325mm (52.17") |
Focal Ratio: | f/13 |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (.98") |
Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 53x |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 10mm (.39") |
Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 132x |
Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
Optical Tube: | Aluminum |
Highest Useful Magnification: | 241x |
Lowest Useful Magnification: | 15x |
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 12.5 |
Resolution (Rayleigh): | 1.37 arc seconds arc seconds |
Resolution (Dawes): | 1.14 arc seconds arc seconds |
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 212x |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 35mm (1.38") |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 34% |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 12% |
Optical Coatings: | Fully Coated |
Optical Tube Length: | 381mm (15") |
Optical Tube Diameter: | 117mm (4.6") |
Optical Tube Weight: | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
MOUNT INFO: | |
Mount Type: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
Instrument load capacity: | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) |
Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 863.6mm - 1371.6mm (34" - 54") |
Tripod leg diameter: | 31.75mm (1.25") aluminum |
Mount Head Weight: | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
Accessory Tray: | Yes. Includes rubberized smartphone or tablet holder |
Tripod Weight: | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
Slew Speeds: | Up to 3°/second |
Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar |
Tracking Modes: | Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South |
GPS: | N/A |
Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 dovetail |
Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 2x AUX Port for optional accessories |
Autoguide Port: | No |
USB Port: | No (only with optional Nexstar+ remote) |
Power Requirements: | 12V DC, 1A (Tip positive) |
Motor Drive: | DC servo motor |
Alignment Procedures: | SkyAlign, 3-Star Align, Solar System Align |
Periodic Error Correction: | No |
Computerized Hand Control: | Hand control not included (optional) |
NexStar+ Database: | Optional Nexstar+ hand remote provides over 40,000 objects in the computer's database |
Software: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App. Each provide over 100,00 objects in their database |
Total Kit Weight: | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) |
Included Items: | Optical tube |
Mount and tripod | |
Accessory tray | |
2x eyepieces | |
1.25" Star diagonal | |
1.25" visual back | |
StarPointer™ red dot finderscope | |
Battery pouch | |
Solar Warning | Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. |
Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. | |
Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. |