The Celestron NexStar Evolution 5 is a portable, fully computerized Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope equipped with 125 mm optics and StarBright XLT coatings. It combines a compact optical tube with a precise computerized Alt-Azimuth GoTo mount, built-in WiFi connectivity, and its own rechargeable battery, allowing it to operate in the field without an additional power source.
 
The telescope can be controlled wirelessly using a smartphone or tablet and the free Celestron SkyPortal app for Android and iOS. The app displays the current night sky, guides the user through the SkyAlign alignment procedure, and allows objects to be selected directly from the sky map. A classic NexStar+ hand controller is also included, providing access to a database of more than 40,000 objects.
 
The mount uses improved motors and brass worm gears on both axes, providing precise object locating and tracking while reducing mechanical backlash. Manual altitude and azimuth clutches allow the telescope to be positioned freely when the power is switched off. The GoTo system must be realigned after the telescope has been moved manually.
 
The integrated lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4 battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous observing. The mount also features a USB port that can be used to charge a mobile device during an observing session. An intelligent power management system switches the telescope into power-saving mode when the battery level is low.
 
The lightweight 330 mm optical tube, ergonomic carrying handles, and all-metal tripod make the telescope easy to transport and quick to prepare for use. Two accessory trays accommodate up to seven eyepieces in total, and one tray features adjustable red illumination that preserves the observer's dark adaptation.
 
The NexStar Evolution 5 is intended primarily for observing the Moon, planets, double stars, star clusters, and brighter nebulae and galaxies. It can also be used for lunar and planetary imaging and for taking short exposures of deep-sky objects.

Key features

• compact 125 mm aperture, 1250 mm focal length Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube
• Celestron StarBright XLT multi-layer optical coatings
• computerized single-fork-arm Alt-Azimuth GoTo mount
• built-in WiFi for control from a smartphone or tablet
• free Celestron SkyPortal app for Android and iOS
• NexStar+ hand controller with a database of more than 40,000 objects
• SkyAlign, One-Star Align, Two-Star Align, and other alignment procedures
• brass worm gears and precision motors on both axes
• manual altitude and azimuth clutches
• built-in LiFePO4 battery providing up to 10 hours of operation
• USB port for charging a mobile device
• four AUX ports for connecting the hand controller and additional accessories
• compatible with the StarSense AutoAlign automatic alignment system
• all-metal tripod with markings for extending the legs evenly
• two trays accommodating up to seven eyepieces in total
• adjustable red accessory tray illumination
• quick, tool-free assembly

Included components

• Celestron 125/1250 mm Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube
• NexStar Evolution single-fork-arm Alt-Azimuth mount
• height-adjustable steel tripod
• accessory tray
• built-in WiFi module
• built-in lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4 battery
• NexStar+ hand controller
• 40 mm / 1.25" Plössl eyepiece providing 31x magnification
• 13 mm / 1.25" Plössl eyepiece providing 96x magnification
• Celestron 90° / 1.25" prism star diagonal (#94115-A)
• 1.25" visual back
• StarPointer red dot finderscope
• AC power adapter with four interchangeable plugs

Technical specifications

• optical design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
• aperture: 125 mm
• focal length: 1250 mm
• focal ratio: f/10
• optical coatings: StarBright XLT
• highest useful magnification: 295x
• lowest useful magnification: 18x
• limiting stellar magnitude: 13
• Rayleigh resolution: 1.11"
• Dawes resolution: 0.93"
• light-gathering power compared with the human eye: 329x
• secondary mirror diameter: 51 mm
• central obstruction by diameter: 40%
• central obstruction by area: 17%
• optical tube material: aluminum
• optical tube length: 330 mm
• optical tube diameter: 152 mm
• optical tube weight: 4.54 kg
• optical tube dovetail: CG-5
• eyepiece accessory standard: 1.25"
• mount type: computerized single-fork-arm Alt-Azimuth mount
• mount control: NexStar GoTo, NexStar+ hand controller, or SkyPortal app
• mount load capacity: 11 kg
• motor drive: DC servo motors
• maximum slew speed: 4°/s
• number of slew speeds: 9
• tracking rates: sidereal, solar, and lunar
• tracking modes: Alt-Az, EQ North, and EQ South
• number of AUX ports: 4
• USB port: yes
• built-in GPS: no
• autoguider: no autoguider port
• battery: LiFePO4, 9.6 V, 4.5 Ah
• maximum battery operating time: up to 10 hours
• tripod leg diameter: 31.75 mm (1.25")
• tripod leg material: stainless steel
• height adjustment range including mount and tripod: 1194–1753 mm
• mount head weight: 7 kg
• tripod weight: 5.44 kg
• total kit weight: 17.23 kg
• software: Celestron SkyPortal and Celestron Starry Night Special Edition