Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1223 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Celestron
• Model: 31045
• Released on: 2007-09-02
• Dimensions: 11.40" h x 18.60" w x 34.70" l, 38.75 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
If you're looking for a dual purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving optically corrected views of land and sky. The AstroMaster Series produce bright, clear images of the Moon and planets. It is easy to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments.

The German Euatorial mount is a good choice for viewing stars, nebulæ star clusters & planets. A built-in setting circle aids in locating these objects.

Locate & identify thousands of celestial objects on your laptop or PC with "The Sky" Level 1 software included free with every AstroMaster model.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

One of the best christmas gifts that i have bought
Since the main factor in telescope size is diameter of the mirror or lens, a larger scope is a better choice if you want a scope that has potential to maintain an interest in astronomy. A small telescope can see exactly the same TYPES of objects as a large telescope, it just cant-see as many of them or as much detail in them. If you are concerned with performance, buy the largest telscope you can afford that has all the features that you want. go with the 130EQ if you can afford it.I found it to be the best value telescope on the market and i did alot of research.
Good luck
jack (Bath)

Excellent choice for those who want it all- easy to use AND great quality viewing!
I wanted a decent telescope that I was going to be able to see lots with BUT without the complex set up and complicated controls (am slightly technically challenged with this sort of thing!). After doing lots of research I chose this one and have to say I'm really pleased. It was easy to set up and use (my stepkids enjoy it too) but we can see a great deal, very clearly. Excellent!!

A very good all-round telescope
This is a lovely telescope that should give you many years of fun.

It's quite impressive when put together (which is a breeze) although the counterweight is quite heavy, and the actual telescope quite large, so it's not that portable, without taking it off the tripod.

Once set up, following the simple instructions, you're ready to go, as long as you can get a clear night.

One thing to remember with this, or any optical telescope, is that the stars will always remain the same size, regardless of magnification. What you WILL see, however, is stars that were too faint to see with the naked eye.

Take Plaedes (The "Seven Sisters") for example. Just a faint collection of 7 stars. The finder scope will bring all 7 into view, but will show about 20 more that you didn't know were there. Even the lowest (20mm) magnification eyepiece will limit your field of view to one of the sisters (plus others in the background).

You may find you'll need a greater collection of eyepieces than the 2 supplied, or even a 2x or 3x Barlow lens (used in conjunction with the eye pieces) if you want to see Venus in any appreciable size.

The only problem (as with many scopes) is judder. It will take a few seconds to settle down once you've focussed.
If you're going to use it for astro photography, you'll need a t-mount which screws onto the scope (although my Nikon D70 won't focus properly unless I'm using a 2x Barlow magnifier with it). You'll also need a single axis motor drive, as the stars and moon will move surprisingly quick in your field of view.

In all, it's a lovely telescope. Fairly sturdy, very bright optics and easy to use. The supplied software is also pretty good.