Celestron 21044 76mm PowerSeeker Telescope
by Celestron
(Click here)
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CelestronModel: 21044
Product features:
- Affordable telescope for beginning astronomer; portable yet powerful
- All-glass optical components with high transmission coatings for enhanced image brighness and clarity
- Newtonian optical design with a 76mm aperture and 700mm focal length
- Altazimuth mount suitable for terrestial viewing as well as astronomical use
- Includes 3x Barlow Lens (1.25"), 20mm eyepiece, 4mm eyepiece, aluminum tripod with accessory tray
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron 21044 76mm PowerSeeker Telescope
Customer Review: Great beginner scope
Summary: 4 Stars
This was my first telescope - and, I've got to say, it's not a bad choice. Now, granted, it's not without its flaws, for example, it seems wobbly, I'd like to be able to tighten the slow motion control rod further than it will actually go, and getting objects lined up with the finderscope and then getting the image again with the main telescope can be tricky.
Nonetheless, it was easy to assemble and get started with. I had a bit of bad luck with weather (and then a new moon...) but that's not the telescope's fault! After that, I was able to get some great images of the moon, including mountain ranges and craters within craters, even combining the 4mm eyepiece with the 3x Barlow lens for a very detailed image.
I haven't managed to get a good look at any other planets yet, so that could be an interesting challenge. But I'm happy so far.
Description of Celestron 21044 76mm PowerSeeker Telescope
The PowerSeekers come in a choice of refractor or reflector, equatorial or altazimuth mount design. The PowerSeekers come with all coated glass optical components with for enhanced image brightness and clarity. The Newtonian reflectors offer larger aperture and greater light gathering power needed to resolve the faint detail of hundreds of deep-sky and other celestial objects.Celestron's value priced PowerSeeker 76 telescope uses a Newtonian optical system to gather up to 60 percent more starlight than popular 60mm starter scopes. The package includes an adjustable Alt-Azimuth tripod, a Kellner type K20 eyepiece, a Ramsden type SR4 eyepiece, a 3x barlow lens, and a 5x24 cross-hair finder scope.
Using mirrors instead of lenses, the Powerseeker's Newtonian reflector design produces images that are noticeably sharper and brighter than 60mm refractors. With the SR4 eyepiece (175x), I can make out all four stars of the famous double-double star E-Lyrae, but a 60mm refractor only shows me two tiny figure-eights. When I look a the Double Cluster in Perseus with the K20 eyepiece on a moonless night, the image is bright enough to show me dozens of individual stars. The reflector design shows pure colors, without the false color or blue fringing I see in low cost refractors. Looking at the double star Gamma Andromeda, for instance, the primary star shines yellow-gold while the secondary is pale blue.
The Powerseeker 76 arrived neatly packaged in a compact box. When I assembled the telescope, though, I got the impression it needed another washer here and there: the tripod legs seemed a little too wide to fit the tripod head, the slow motion control rod seemed a little too tight. The assembled telescope turns out to be quite stable; I like to use it with the legs kept short. Since the eyepiece is near the top of the tube, the eyepiece height is very comfortable for a seated adult. Even at 175x magnification with the SR4 eyepiece, the view is steady enough that I have no trouble focusing.
There's no doubt this is a bargain priced telescope with good optical performance. I'd like it even better if it came with a K10 eyepiece instead of the 3x barlow, and it would be nice to have a better finder scope and a more rugged mount. Orion's Spaceprobe 3 Altaz is a similar telescope with more accessories included. ?Jeff Phillips
Pros:
- Low cost
- Good optics
- Small aperture
- Some parts don't fit well
- Plastic barlow and finder
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