Celestron Advanced VX 6" Newtonian Telescope

150mm f/5 Newtonian: Parabolic Optics for Sharp Views

This system's optical power comes from its 150mm (6") parabolic primary mirror. Unlike spherical mirrors found in entry-level telescopes, a parabolic mirror corrects spherical aberration, producing visibly sharper stars across the field of view, especially at a fast f/5 focal ratio. This optical design delivers bright, wide-field images, making it an excellent choice for observing large deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the Orion Nebula (M42).

The f/5 focal ratio is also ideal for astrophotography, allowing you to capture more light in shorter exposures. The optical tube weighs just 10 lbs, leaving ample capacity for cameras and accessories, and features a CG-5 dovetail bar for secure mounting. A 6x30 finderscope is included to help you manually locate bright guide stars or navigate the sky.

Advanced VX Mount: 30 lb Capacity for Serious Imaging

The Advanced VX mount is the foundation of this package, designed to provide observatory-level features in a portable frame. It has a 30 lb instrument load capacity, easily handling the 10 lb optical tube plus a full suite of imaging gear. The stability is anchored by a heavy-duty tripod with 2" diameter stainless steel legs, ensuring a solid base that minimizes vibrations.

Engineered for imaging, the mount features DC servo motors with encoders and Permanently Programmable Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to reduce tracking errors for sharper long exposures. It also includes an autoguide port for adding a dedicated guide camera. The dual CG-5 and CGE saddle plate means you can mount other optical tubes as your hobby grows, making the AVX a platform you won't soon outgrow.

NexStar+ GoTo: 40,000+ Objects and CPWI Control

At the heart of the AVX is the NexStar+ computerized GoTo system, which removes the frustration of finding faint objects. After a simple alignment procedure, the mount can automatically slew to any of the 40,000+ objects in its database at up to 4 degrees per second and track it precisely as it moves across the sky. The system offers Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates for any target you choose.

Beyond the hand control, this mount is fully compatible with Celestron's PWI (CPWI) software, co-developed with PlaneWave Instruments. This gives you a graphical planetarium interface for your computer to control the telescope, offering advanced mount modeling for professional-grade pointing accuracy. You also receive a free copy of Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition software to help you plan your observing sessions.

Choosing Your OTA: AVX 6" Newtonian vs. an 8" SCT

A common decision for imagers starting with the AVX mount is whether to choose the 6" Newtonian or an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (SCT). The choice depends entirely on your primary targets.

• 8" SCT Advantage: With a focal length around 2032mm (f/10), an 8" SCT provides much higher magnification, making it the superior choice for detailed views and imaging of the Moon and planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Its compact optical tube is also easy to handle.
• 6" Newtonian Advantage: This telescope's fast f/5 focal ratio and 750mm focal length create a much wider true field of view. This is ideal for capturing large deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. The open-tube design acclimates to ambient temperature faster and has no corrector plate that can attract dew.