The Celestron Astro Fi 5 combines a compact 125mm Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with a computerised GoTo mount and integrated Wi-Fi. Connect a compatible smartphone or tablet to the telescope, open the free Celestron SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari app, complete the guided alignment and select an object from the interactive sky map.
Its 1250mm focal length is particularly well suited to detailed views of the Moon and planets, while the 125mm aperture also reveals double stars, brighter star clusters, nebulae and other deep-sky objects. Two 1.25-inch eyepieces, a mirror star diagonal and a StarPointer red-dot finderscope are included.
Integrated Wi-Fi and App Control
Astro Fi creates its own wireless network, allowing the telescope to be controlled without a separate Wi-Fi module. Connect through the Celestron SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari app on a compatible iPhone, iPad or Android device.
The app provides an interactive planetarium display. After alignment, tap a visible object and select GoTo; the mount slews to the target and tracks it as it moves across the sky. A smartphone or tablet is required for normal operation and is not included.
125mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics
The compact Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube provides a 125mm aperture and 1250mm focal length in a tube only 355.6mm long. Its f/10 focal ratio and long focal length make it a capable visual telescope for lunar detail, planetary observing and double stars, with enough aperture for many brighter deep-sky targets under suitable conditions.
Celestron's current specification table describes the optics as fully coated. The CG-5-style dovetail allows the tube to be removed from the single-arm mount for transport.
SkyAlign and Automatic GoTo Tracking
SkyAlign guides you through centring three bright objects, so you do not need to identify the stars in advance. Once aligned, the computerised altazimuth mount can locate selected targets and track them at sidereal, solar or lunar rates.
The supplied configuration is intended primarily for visual observing and straightforward smartphone snapshots. Because it is an altazimuth system, field rotation limits its suitability for long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography.
Adjustable Tripod and Device Holder
The aluminium tripod and mount adjust from approximately 863.6mm to 1371.6mm in height. The accessory tray includes two 1.25-inch eyepiece positions and a rubber-lined holder for a smartphone or small tablet.
Two Eyepieces and Star Diagonal Included
The included 25mm Kellner eyepiece provides 50x magnification for locating targets and wider views. The 10mm Kellner eyepiece increases the magnification to 125x for closer inspection of the Moon, planets and compact objects.
A 1.25-inch mirror star diagonal places the eyepiece at a comfortable right angle, while the StarPointer red-dot finderscope helps with initial aiming and alignment. The lens cap incorporates a basic smartphone-imaging adapter for taking simple photographs through an eyepiece.
Power Requirements
The telescope requires either eight AA batteries in the supplied battery pack or a suitable 12V DC, minimum 1A, tip-positive external power source. AA batteries and an external mains or field power supply are not included.
Optional NexStar+ Hand Control
A computerised hand control is not supplied because Astro Fi is designed for app operation. An optional compatible NexStar+ hand control can be connected when conventional keypad control is preferred.
What Is Included?
- 125mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube
- Astro Fi computerised single-fork altazimuth mount with integrated Wi-Fi
- Adjustable aluminium tripod
- Accessory tray with smartphone or small-tablet holder
- 25mm Kellner eyepiece, 1.25-inch
- 10mm Kellner eyepiece, 1.25-inch
- 1.25-inch mirror star diagonal
- Visual back
- StarPointer red-dot finderscope and bracket
- Battery pack for eight AA batteries
- Lens cap with integrated smartphone-imaging adapter
Please note: A smartphone or tablet, eight AA batteries, an external power supply and a NexStar+ hand control are not included.
Specifications
Optical Tube
| Optical design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 125mm (4.92 inches) |
| Focal length | 1250mm (49.2 inches) |
| Focal ratio | f/10 |
| Optical coatings | Fully coated |
| Eyepieces | 25mm (50x) and 10mm (125x), 1.25-inch |
| Finderscope | StarPointer red-dot finderscope |
| Star diagonal | 1.25-inch mirror diagonal |
| Highest useful magnification | 295x |
| Lowest useful magnification | 18x |
| Limiting stellar magnitude | 13 |
| Resolution | Rayleigh: 1.11 arcseconds; Dawes: 0.93 arcseconds |
| Light-gathering power | 329x compared with the human eye |
| Secondary obstruction | 50mm; 40% by diameter; 16% by area |
| Optical-tube length | 355.6mm (14 inches) |
| Optical-tube diameter | 180mm |
| Optical-tube weight | 3.08kg (6.8lb) |
| Dovetail | CG-5 dovetail bar |
Mount, Power and Weight
| Mount | Computerised altazimuth single-fork mount |
|---|---|
| Control | Integrated Wi-Fi with Celestron SkyPortal app |
| Alignment | SkyAlign, 3-Star Align and Solar System Align |
| Tracking rates | Sidereal, solar and lunar |
| Maximum slew rate | 3 degrees per second |
| Auxiliary ports | Two AUX ports |
| Power requirement | Eight AA batteries or 12V DC, minimum 1A, tip-positive |
| Height range | 863.6–1371.6mm (34–54 inches), including mount and tripod |
| Mount-head weight | 2.3kg (5lb) |
| Tripod weight | 2.3kg (5lb) |
| Total kit weight | 7.6kg (16.8lb) |
Solar Safety
Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through this telescope without a suitable certified full-aperture solar filter securely fitted over the front of the telescope.
Never use an eyepiece solar filter, never use a Herschel wedge with this telescope and never project an image of the Sun. Unfiltered sunlight can cause permanent eye injury and damage the telescope.
Keep the telescope supervised whenever children or anyone unfamiliar with safe solar-observing procedures are present.
Instruction Manual
The official model-specific manual covers assembly, Wi-Fi connection, SkyPortal alignment, observing, smartphone imaging, maintenance and solar safety. It is supplied in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.