Celestron FirstScope 90EQ Telescope

A quarter moon seen through the Celestron Firstscope 90EQ and photographed with a Celestron NexImage. (See larger image.)

Refractors are known for their sharp, high-contrast views of the moon and planets, and the Firstscope 90 includes everything I need to get sharp views of the moon right out of the box. The low power 20mm eyepiece (50x) shows a nice overall view of the moon, while the 10mm eyepiece (100x) can be used to zoom in for more detail. When the quarter moon is in the sky, I like to look for detail along the "terminator," the dramatic boundary between bright sunlight and dark shadow.

Brighter deep-space objects also show up nicely in the Firstscope 90. On a moonless night, I like the way the 20mm eyepiece frames the ghostly glow of the Orion nebula. Zooming in with the 10mm eyepiece, I can easily pick out all four stars of the Orion nebula's embedded multiple star, the Trapezium. The moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn are easy to see with the 10mm eyepiece (100x). With careful focusing, I was even able to detect the Cassini division in Saturn's rings using my own Ultima 7.5mm eyepiece. Low-cost refractors like the Firstscope 90 can be troubled by false color and spherical aberration, but I find these effects are well controlled at moderate powers. When I look at Jupiter and Saturn at magnifications over 100x however, the images are not as sharp as I see with my C102HD refractor.

The telescope can also double as a spotting scope. (Image taken with the Meade Autostar Suite.) (See larger image.)

The equatorial mount included with the Firstscope 90EQ is designed to track stars and planets. When I set up the telescope, I simply point the polar axis at Polaris, the North Star. This allows me to keep celestial objects in view by turning one slow motion knob, and an optional motor drive is available for hands-free tracking. Celestron also offers the Firstscope 90AZ, which is the same telescope with an alt-azimuth mount. The standard equipment Kellner eyepieces are just average quality; I'd add a 32mm plossl like the one in Celestron's optional accessory kit to bring out the full view of deep space highlights like the Pleiades. You'll also want some star charts to help find planets and star clusters; I like the monthly star charts and viewing tips in Night Sky magazine. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• High contrast views of the moon and planets
• Durable, low-maintenance design
• Can double as a spotting scope

• Eyepiece quality just average
• Equatorial mount can be awkward to use
• Planet views over 100x are a little soft
• 90mm is a bit small for deep space viewing

A quarter moon seen through the Celestron Firstscope 90EQ and photographed with a Celestron NexImage. (See larger image.)

Refractors are known for their sharp, high-contrast views of the moon and planets, and the Firstscope 90 includes everything I need to get sharp views of the moon right out of the box. The low power 20mm eyepiece (50x) shows a nice overall view of the moon, while the 10mm eyepiece (100x) can be used to zoom in for more detail. When the quarter moon is in the sky, I like to look for detail along the "terminator," the dramatic boundary between bright sunlight and dark shadow.

Brighter deep-space objects also show up nicely in the Firstscope 90. On a moonless night, I like the way the 20mm eyepiece frames the ghostly glow of the Orion nebula. Zooming in with the 10mm eyepiece, I can easily pick out all four stars of the Orion nebula's embedded multiple star, the Trapezium. The moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn are easy to see with the 10mm eyepiece (100x). With careful focusing, I was even able to detect the Cassini division in Saturn's rings using my own Ultima 7.5mm eyepiece. Low-cost refractors like the Firstscope 90 can be troubled by false color and spherical aberration, but I find these effects are well controlled at moderate powers. When I look at Jupiter and Saturn at magnifications over 100x however, the images are not as sharp as I see with my C102HD refractor.

The telescope can also double as a spotting scope. (Image taken with the Meade Autostar Suite.) (See larger image.)

The equatorial mount included with the Firstscope 90EQ is designed to track stars and planets. When I set up the telescope, I simply point the polar axis at Polaris, the North Star. This allows me to keep celestial objects in view by turning one slow motion knob, and an optional motor drive is available for hands-free tracking. Celestron also offers the Firstscope 90AZ, which is the same telescope with an alt-azimuth mount. The standard equipment Kellner eyepieces are just average quality; I'd add a 32mm plossl like the one in Celestron's optional accessory kit to bring out the full view of deep space highlights like the Pleiades. You'll also want some star charts to help find planets and star clusters; I like the monthly star charts and viewing tips in Night Sky magazine. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• High contrast views of the moon and planets
• Durable, low-maintenance design
• Can double as a spotting scope

• Eyepiece quality just average
• Equatorial mount can be awkward to use
• Planet views over 100x are a little soft
• 90mm is a bit small for deep space viewing