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Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerised Telescope
Celestron’s iconic “orange tube” design is updated with all the latest features to provide the best stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike.
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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 geographic 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. You can even remove the telescope’s secondary mirror and replace it with a DSLR or astronomical CCD camera for wide field images captured at f/2 using a Fastar/HyperStar lens assembly. Or, if you’re interested in imaging the Moon and planets, pair your NexStar 5SE with one of our Skyris cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.
OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
---|---|
Optical Design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
Aperture | 125mm (4.92") |
Focal Length | 1250mm (49") |
Focal Ratio | f/10 |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 | 25mm (.98") |
Magnification of Eyepiece 1 | 50x |
Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
Star Diagonal | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
Optical Tube | Aluminum |
Highest Useful Magnification | 295x |
Lowest Useful Magnification | 18x |
Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 13 |
Resolution (Rayleigh) | 1.11 arc seconds |
Resolution (Dawes) | 0.93 arc seconds |
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) | 329x |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction | 51mm (2.0") |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter | 40% % |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area | 16.6% % |
Optical Coatings | StarBright XLT |
Optical Tube Length | 330mm (13") |
Optical Tube Diameter | 152mm (6") |
Optical Tube Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
Dovetail | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
MOUNT INFO: | |
Mount Type | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
Instrument load capacity | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod) | 939.8mm - 2397mm (37" - 55") |
Tripod leg diameter | 50.8mm (2") Stainless Steel |
Mount Head Weight | 7 lbs (3.2 kg) |
Accessory Tray | Yes |
Tripod Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
Slew Speeds | 9 slew speeds - max speed 3°/second |
Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
Tracking Modes | Alt-Az, EQ North & EQ South |
GPS | N/A |
Dovetail Compatibility | CG-5 dovetail |
Number of Auxiliary ports | 1x Aux port |
Autoguide port | No |
USB port | Yes, Hand Control input |
Power Requirements | 8-AA batteries (not included) | 12 VDC-750 mA (Tip positive) |
Motor Drive | DC servo motors |
Alignment Procedures | SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge) |
Periodic Error Correction | No |
Computerized Hand Control | Double line, 18 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons |
NexStar+ Database | 38,181 accessible objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects. |
Software | Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software, SkyPortal App |
Total Kit Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
Included Items | NexStar SE OTA | Single Fork Arm Mount | Tripod | Accessory Tray | Star Pointer Finderscope | Built-In Wedge | NexStar+ Hand Control | 25mm eyepiece | Star Diagonal |
Offers: Price Drop |
Offer Category: Scopes |
Offer Product Type: Telescopes |
Colour: N/A |
Diameter (mm): N/A |
Height (mm): N/A |
Length (mm): N/A |
Width (mm): N/A |
Weight (g): N/A |
Environmental Sealing: N/A |
Scope Close focus (m): N/A |
Scope Eyerelief (mm): N/A |
Focal length (mm): N/A |
Scope Lens coating: N/A |
Max magnification: N/A |
Min magnification: N/A |
Scope Objective lens (mm): N/A |
Scope Type: N/A |
Notes: N/A |
Thinking of choosing finance?
Finance is a great way to spread the cost of your purchase. To make it easy we’ve teamed up with Deko whose technology lets you apply for and complete a loan application quickly, easily and informatively.
Deko is a credit broker, not a lender. Deko’s secure technology helps put you in touch with lenders whose finance options are best suited for you and your purchase.
Simply add the items you love to your basket. Once you are at the checkout select the finance option that suits you and choose Deko. The quick application form is simple and should take no more than a couple of minutes to complete and you will receive a decision instantly. Easy!
Use our finance calculator to check the impact of various loan values, terms and interest rates on the total amount you need to pay and the monthly repayments.
Check your eligibility
You will only be considered for finance if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- You have a gross annual income each year of more than £5,000
- Are a permanent UK resident and have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
- Have a UK bank account capable of accepting Direct Debits
- You are not currently bankrupt, subject to an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA), or have any County Court Judgments (CCJs)
- Provide an email address so your documentation can be emailed to you.

Park Cameras Limited is a credit broker, not a lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 720279). We do not charge you for credit broking services. We will introduce you exclusively to finance products provided by Omni Captial Ltd.
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Condition guide
Our used products are subject to wear and tear in comparison to brand new products. This also applies to accessories that are supplied with the camera including batteries which may have a lower optimum performance level/life expectancy.
- Like New – The equipment is in a condition as if you have just bought it from the manufacturer. The item is still considered to be ‘Like New’ even without the original packaging and accessories. The product has been fully tested and is in perfect working order. Lenses are optically clear. There may be light dust present that will not effect the imagery.
- Excellent – The equipment should be close to being ‘Like New’ but there may be some small cosmetic blemishes that lower its grade. The product has been fully tested and is in perfect excellent order.
- Cameras – Should have no marks on the LCD screen
- Lenses – Should have no marks on the elements and optically clear. There may be light dust present that will not effect the imagery.
- Very Good – The equipment may have some slight cosmetic wear to the paintwork and cosmetic blemishes with only light signs of use and the product has been fully tested and is in great working order.
- Cameras – The LCD screen may have small signs of wear that does not affect its display
- Lenses – The mount of the lens will start to show signs of wear
- Good – The equipment is showing more obvious signs of cosmetic wear and blemishes, but the product has been fully tested and is in great working order.
- Cameras – LCD screen may have scratches or wear that is starting to affect the display.
- Lenses – May have slight dust inside that does not affect images. The mount shows signs of use.
- Well Used – The equipment will show significant signs of wear. The paintwork will be coming away in large areas exposing the metal work, but the product has been fully tested and is in great working order.
- Cameras – LCD screen is heavily worn either by de-lamination or has scratches to it. Rubber grips are starting to come away from the body.
- Lenses – The lens has dust inside that may affect images. The rubber zoom/focus ring is coming away from the barrel of the lens.
*All of our used items are listed with the accesories that are included. If they are not listed then they will not be supplied at eh epoint of purchase.