Featuring Maksutov-Cassegrain optics, the Celestron NexStar 4 SE is an ideal telescope for observing and photographing celestial or terrestrial subjects. With a weight of just 21 lb (9.5 kg) including the tripod, the ultra-portable 4 SE features a precision optical system with 1,325 mm focal length at 13, and is the first Maksutov system from Celestron to feature StarBright XLT multi coatings.
| Optical Design | Maksutov-Cassegrain reflector |
| Optical Lens Diameter | 4.0" (102 mm) |
| Focal Length | 52.17" (1325 mm) |
| Focal Ratio | 13.0 |
| Maximum Useful Magnification | 240x |
| Resolving Power | 1.36 |
| Optical Tube Dimensions | 13.5" (342.9 mm) in length |
| Mount Type | Computerized Altazimuth |
| Eyepiece Barrel Diameter | 1.25" |
| Finderscope | StarPointer |
| Tripod | Steel with built-in wedge |
| Motor | Yes |
| GO-TO Capability | Yes |
| PC Compatible | Yes- RS232 port on hand control |
| Power Source | 8-AA batteries (not included) |
| Weight | 21 lb (9.5 kg) |
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Comments about Celestron NexStar 4 SE 4.0"/102mm Catadioptric Telescope Kit:
This scope is small enough to be fairly easily portable, yet strong enough to allow you to view some very interesting stars and planets. The belts of Jupiter are very prominent as are the rings of Saturn. The go-to feature is superb. I used to have an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain but didn't use it very much because it was too bulky and heavy to set up and use. I am very, very happy with this telescope.
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Comments about Celestron NexStar 4 SE 4.0"/102mm Catadioptric Telescope Kit:
I bought this for casual observing and is my first telescope.
It is fairly easy to set up and has good optics.
Being compact does not mean easy to transport off the shop: it comes in a rather large carton box with 2 large boxes (tripod legs and the telescope mounted on altazimuth arm) and 2 small boxes (documentation and accessories, filler) inside.
It is difficult to fit on a car trunk, but on the other hand, it survived an air flight abroad to Brazil.
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Comments about Celestron NexStar 4 SE 4.0"/102mm Catadioptric Telescope Kit:
I bought this for casual observing and to get my kids interested in astronomy. It fits the bill perfectly. Super compact, easy to transport and set up, and easy to get observing soon after setup. Very solidly built. Better optics than the 3-in refractor I owned previously. Only optical limitation is the size; the collimation was good from the factory and the glass shows no flaws. I star-tested it as soon as I took it out of the box and it looked good. I've dialed in everything I can find that the textbooks say you can resolve with a 4 in scope and they all look good. Only real competition is the Meade ETX, which has smaller apereture but basically the same features at this price point. I thought the ETX build seemed flimsier but the optics were comparable. The only con is that the computerized controller is not as easy as it looks, and the two-star alignment procedure isn't as easy as the sales pitch says, but this is a problem with all GOTO scopes and not this one in particular.
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Comments about Celestron NexStar 4 SE 4.0"/102mm Catadioptric Telescope Kit:
I use it as a hobby to learn about astronomy. This telescope was recommended to me by an astronomer!
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