Celestron ExploraScope 114AZ Telescope

114mm Newtonian Optics: 265x More Light Than the Eye

The heart of the ExploraScope is its 114mm (4.5") primary mirror. This aperture is large enough to move beyond basic lunar and planetary observing, gathering 265x more light than the unaided eye to reveal deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). The long 1000mm focal length results in an f/9 focal ratio, which provides higher native magnification and less demanding performance on eyepieces, keeping images sharp across the field.

6.7 lb Grab-and-Go Alt-Azimuth Mount

Designed for simplicity and portability, the entire ExploraScope 114AZ kit weighs only 6.7 lbs. Setup takes just a few minutes, even for a first-time user. The manual alt-azimuth mount is intuitive; you simply point the telescope at your target using the panning handle. A built-in clutch allows for smooth, fine adjustments in an up/down and left/right motion, making it easy to track a planet as it drifts across the eyepiece.

A 50x to 269x Magnification Range

The ExploraScope 114AZ includes a versatile accessory package to get you started. The 20mm eyepiece gives a low-power 50x view, perfect for locating objects and observing large star clusters. For higher power, the 4mm eyepiece provides 250x magnification, bringing you close to the telescope's highest useful magnification of 269x for detailed views of Jupiter's cloud bands and Saturn's rings.

• 3x Barlow Lens: This accessory triples the power of any eyepiece. Paired with the 20mm eyepiece, it yields 150x—an ideal magnification for most planetary viewing.
• A Note on High Magnification: While the 4mm eyepiece and 3x Barlow technically produce 750x, this is well beyond the 269x useful limit of the telescope's aperture. This "empty magnification" will result in a dim, blurry image. The best high-power views will be found with the 4mm eyepiece alone.
• StarPointer Finderscope: The included red dot finder allows you to place a glowing red dot on your target, making it fast and easy to align the main telescope.

Starry Night & SkyPortal: Your Digital Guides to the Cosmos

Your ExploraScope 114AZ includes a free download of Celestron's Starry Night Basic Edition software. This powerful planetarium program helps you learn the night sky, see what objects are currently visible, and plan your future observing sessions from your PC or Mac. When you're in the field, use the SkyPortal app for iOS and Android to identify celestial objects with your mobile device.

ExploraScope 114AZ vs. PowerSeeker 114EQ: Simplicity vs. Tracking

When choosing a 114mm starter telescope, a key comparison is the mount type. The PowerSeeker 114EQ's German Equatorial mount, when properly polar aligned, excels at tracking celestial objects with the turn of a single slow-motion control, which is an advantage for studying objects at high power. However, this alignment process can be challenging for beginners.

The ExploraScope 114AZ's Alt-Azimuth mount is the definition of simplicity. It requires no alignment and operates with an intuitive point-and-look motion. It is also significantly lighter and faster to set up, making it the superior choice for anyone prioritizing portability and ease of use over the ability to manually track objects with precision.