Celestron AstroMaster 70 AZ Telescope

The Celestron AstroMaster 70 AZ is a high-quality refractor telescope designed for beginners and hobby astronomers. With a 70mm aperture and 900mm focal length, it delivers bright, clear views of the Moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. The manual altazimuth mount and full-height steel tripod provide stable and easy setup, making it ideal for terrestrial and celestial observation.

Advantages

This telescope offers fully coated glass optics for enhanced light transmission and image clarity. The erect image diagonal ensures correct orientation for daytime use, while the built-in StarPointer finderscope simplifies target acquisition. The included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces provide magnifications of 45x and 90x, and the quick-release dovetail allows fast setup without tools.

Suitable for

• Beginner astronomers and families
• Observing the Moon, planets (Jupiter, Saturn), and bright deep-sky objects (Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy)
• Terrestrial viewing (landscapes, wildlife)
• Educational purposes and STEM learning

Key specifications

• Optical Design: Refractor
• Aperture: 70 mm (2.8 in)
• Focal Length: 900 mm (35 in)
• Focal Ratio: f/12.9
• Mount Type: Manual Altazimuth
• Eyepieces: 20mm (45x) and 10mm (90x) – 1.25"
• Finderscope: Built-in StarPointer
• Highest Useful Magnification: 165x
• Lowest Useful Magnification: 10x
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 11.7
• Resolution (Rayleigh): 1.99 arc seconds
• Resolution (Dawes): 1.66 arc seconds
• Light Gathering Power: 100x
• Optical Coatings: Fully Coated
• Star Diagonal: Erect Image (1.25")
• Software: Starry Night Basic Edition (downloadable)
• Optical Tube Material: Aluminum
• Dovetail: Quick Release
• Tripod: Full-height steel with accessory tray
• Total Telescope Weight: 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs)

Recommendations

For best results, use the telescope in a dark location away from city lights. Allow the optics to cool to ambient temperature for optimal performance. The included Starry Night software is a great tool for planning observation sessions.