
Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 5SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century. In the 1970s, Celestron’s Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the world’s premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestron’s proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers. Four decades later, we’ve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founder’s intent. View the Universe’s Most Impressive Celestial Objects. The 5SE’s five-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that the solar system has to offer: Saturn’s rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and eographic features on the surface of the Moon. When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 5SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount. We know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. That’s why Celestron’s engineers created NexStar SE’s unique, patented single fork arm mount. It’s perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. What’s more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. You’ll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard. Of course, it’s what’s inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with push-button ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible. Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself! Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You. The NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign. If you want to explore the world of astroimaging, the 5SE is a perfect choice. Its built-in wedge allows you to track long exposures. Or, if you’re interested in imaging the Moon and planets, pair your NexStar 5SE with one of our NexImage cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.
Q: What type of alignment technology does this telescope use?
A: This telescope uses Celestron's SkyAlign technology, which helps you locate and identify celestial objects.
Q: What is the maximum magnification this telescope offers?
A: This telescope offers up to 295x magnification.
Q: How many celestial objects can I see with this telescope?
A: This telescope allows you to view up to 40,000 celestial objects.
Q: Can I control this telescope with my computer?
A: Yes, you can control the telescope using the NexRemote software and the included RS-232 cable.
Q: What kind of optical coatings does the telescope have?
A: The telescope features StarBright XLT high-transmission optical coatings for enhanced light-gathering and viewing.
Q: Does this telescope come with a tripod?
A: Yes, the telescope comes with a steel tripod that has a built-in wedge for stability.
Q: What is the focal length of this telescope?
A: The telescope has a focal length of 1250mm.
Q: is it high quality? good pictures? good vision quality?
A: All Celestron Nexstar Schmidt-Cassegrain model telescopes are of very high quality and produce excellent images.

Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 5SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century. In the 1970s, Celestron’s Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the world’s premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestron’s proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers. Four decades later, we’ve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founder’s intent. View the Universe’s Most Impressive Celestial Objects. The 5SE’s five-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that the solar system has to offer: Saturn’s rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and eographic features on the surface of the Moon. When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 5SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount. We know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. That’s why Celestron’s engineers created NexStar SE’s unique, patented single fork arm mount. It’s perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. What’s more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. You’ll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard. Of course, it’s what’s inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with push-button ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible. Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself! Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You. The NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign. If you want to explore the world of astroimaging, the 5SE is a perfect choice. Its built-in wedge allows you to track long exposures. Or, if you’re interested in imaging the Moon and planets, pair your NexStar 5SE with one of our NexImage cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.

Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 4SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century. In the 1970s, Celestron’s Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the world’s premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestron’s proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers. Four decades later, we’ve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founder’s intent. View the Universe’s Most Impressive Celestial Objects.The 4SE’s four-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that the solar system has to offer: Saturn’s rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and eographic features on the surface of the Moon. When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 4SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount. We know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. That’s why Celestron’s engineers created NexStar SE’s unique, patented single fork arm mount. It’s perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. What’s more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. You’ll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard.Of course, it’s what’s inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with push-button ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible.Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself! Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You. The NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign. Its built-in wedge allows you to track long exposures. if you’re interested in imaging the Moon and planets, pair your NexStar 4SE with one of our NexImage cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.

Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 6SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering striking views at an economical price. Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century. In the 1970s, Celestron’s Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the world’s premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestron’s proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers. Four decades later, we’ve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founder’s intent. View the Universe’s Most Impressive Celestial Objects. The 6SE’s six-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to observe the best that the solar system has to offer: Cassini’s Division in Saturn’s rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and geographic features on the surface of the Moon. When it comes to deep sky objects, take your 6SE to a dark-sky site and you’ll see hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more.Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount. We know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. That’s why Celestron’s engineers created NexStar SE’s unique, patented single fork arm mount. It’s perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. What’s more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. You’ll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard. Of course, it’s what’s inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with push-button ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible. Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself! Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You. The NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Provide GPS coordinates to your telescope with SkySync, or add automatic alignment functionality with StarSense AutoAlign. For planetary imaging, pair your NexStar 6SE with one of our NexImage cameras. Or, experiment with wide-field deep sky astroimaging by replacing the telescope’s secondary mirror with a DSLR or astronomical CCD camera with a Fastar/HyperStar lens assembly. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.

Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with StarSense Explorer—the first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. StarSense Explorer is ideal for beginners thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It’s like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.Dock, Launch, Explore. Leave complicated star charts, imprecise planetarium apps, and computerized mounts behind. With StarSense Explorer, locating objects has never been easier, faster, or more accurate. Within minutes of setting up the telescope, you’ll be navigating the sky with confidence. Simply place your phone in the unique StarSense dock and launch the StarSense Explorer app. After aligning your phone to the telescope’s optics (a quick, 2-minute procedure), StarSense Explorer generates a list of celestial objects currently visible. Make your selection and arrows appear onscreen, guiding you as you to move the telescope. When the object is ready to view, the bullseye turns green. Smartphone Compatibility, StarSense Explorer works with most modern smartphones; it is compatible with Android 12 and later, as well as iOS 18 and newer, including iPhone XR and newer models. Users with older phones can still use this app, but will not be able to reinstall the app if they uninstall it. Patented StarSense Sky Recognition Technology - StarSense Explorer uses patented technology and your smartphone to determine exactly where the telescope is pointed in the night sky. A Lost in Space Algorithm (LISA), like the ones satellites use in orbit to correctly orient themselves, helps the app match star patterns it detects overhead to its internal database. While other astronomy apps may claim that they can help you find objects, they rely exclusively on the phone’s gyros and accelerometers, which aren’t as accurate as LISA technology. No other app can accurately tell you when your target is visible in the eyepiece. High Quality Altazimuth Mount with Slow Motion Control - An ultra-stable altazimuth mount provides a sturdy foundation for StarSense Explorer DX. Slip clutches and geared slow motion controls in both axes help you move the telescope smoothly and zero in your target. As celestial objects appear to drift across the night sky, you’ll be able to follow them with just a few turns of the knobs. It’s all anchored by an adjustable, full-height tripod. Dazzling Views with High Quality Optics. With a large 130mm (5”) objective lens, this telescope has enough light gathering ability to bring out impressive detail in celestial objects. You can expect sharp, bright views of Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, its cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn, the trapezium in the Orion Nebula, and beautiful Pleiades Open Star Cluster. Highly reflective coatings on both the primary and secondary mirror enhance the views even more. Perfect for the City or Dark Sky Sites- Even if you live in a light polluted city location, StarSense Explorer is advanced enough to be able to pick out Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, the Orion Nebula, double stars, and a few more of the most famous celestial objects. But if you can take the telescope to an even slightly darker location, more objects will become visible. With this 5” Newtonian and relatively dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Open Star Cluster, and so many more are easily within your reach. The entire telescope kit weighs just 18 pounds, so it’s perfectly portable and easy to bring on your next camping trip or to a remote observing site. Everything You Need to Observe Immediately. When you unbox your new StarSense Explorer DX, you’ll find: 130mm Newtonian reflector optical tube, StarSense dock for your smartphone, Low powered (25mm) and high powered (10mm) eyepiece, StarPointer red dot finderscope, perfect for using the telescope during the day or without the StarSense Explorer app, Altazimuth mount with slow motion controls, Full-height tripod with an accessory tray to keep you organized.
| Pros for Celestron - NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope - Orange | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Ease of Use, Image Quality | Ease of Use | Image Quality, Ease of use, Price, Clarity, Setup |
| Cons for Celestron - NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope - Orange | |||
| There were no cons for this product— | There were no cons for this product— | There were no cons for this product— | Magnification, App Functionality, Tripod Stability, Alignment, Instructions |
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Great telescope for both beginners and more advanced users. Plenty of room for expansion into whatever field you want whether it be astrophotography or just recreational viewing. Unfortunately I can't give it 5 stars as it doesn't come with any more eye pieces than just one which is a 25mm plossl which is great for viewing the moon and Jupiter, but after that you will have to get better magnification. The SkyAlign system is a bit weird, I have only gotten it to align properly once and even then the alignment was just a little off so that Jupiter hung to the top right of the eyepiece. Once I tried to manually adjust it using the directional pad it stopped tracking on Jupiter and sat until I told it to snap back to Jupiter, which then it aligned it back into the top right side. Still a bit new to it however so I'm very sure it could be user error as well. The focus is flawless, and even during a half moon I was still able to see craters and the like, even the outline of the dark side of the moon. This telescope truly has great optics. The tripod is very sturdy and even comes with rubber feet on the bottom to help grip and suspend it from minor vibrations. The software it comes with seems a bit dated, but you can use a laptop instead of the keypad to align and track stars.
iamtuck3r Posted
The Celestron NexStar 5 SE is hands down one of the best telescopes I’ve ever owned. Its portability, ease of use, and stunning optical performance make it ideal for beginners and seasoned stargazers alike. The 5-inch aperture provides crisp, clear images of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. Saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons appear vividly, and even faint nebulae and star clusters are easy to locate and enjoy. The Schmidt-Cassegrain design is compact yet powerful, and the telescope is lightweight enough to take on trips to darker skies. The GoTo mount and computerized hand controller are game-changers. With the SkyAlign technology, aligning the telescope is a breeze—it only took me a few minutes to get everything set up and track objects perfectly. Once aligned, the telescope finds and follows celestial objects effortlessly, saving much time compared to manual searching. The construction is solid, and the orange finish gives it a sleek, professional look. The included accessories, such as the eyepiece and StarPointer finder scope, are high quality and a perfect starting point for observation. If you're looking for a high-performance telescope with modern features and exceptional optics, the NexStar 5 SE is worth every penny. Whether you’re exploring the solar system or diving deep into the universe, this telescope delivers an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!
Ethan Posted
Seeing the night sky in a whole new light! It’s great for my wife and I to set out for hours. Easy setup, easy to use, and the best experience!
Switcher Posted