Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 HD Telescope with StarSense (Celestron, SKU: 12097) is a complete computerized observing system combining a 9.25" EdgeHD optical tube with the NexStar Evolution single-arm altazimuth mount and StarSense AutoAlign system. The aplanatic flat-field Schmidt-Cassegrain design reduces off-axis coma and field curvature, while StarBright XLT coatings increase light transmission. Built-in Wi-Fi and a LiFePO4 battery allow the telescope to be controlled in the field without an external wireless module or a separate power source for the mount.

Key features

• 9.25" EdgeHD optical tube with a 235 mm aperture and f/10 focal ratio
• aplanatic optical system reducing coma and field curvature
• StarBright XLT optical coatings
• StarSense AutoAlign system performing automatic alignment from images of the sky
• built-in Wi-Fi and control via the SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari app
• computerized Go-To mount with a single fork arm
• brass worm gears on both axes and DC servo motors
• built-in LiFePO4 battery providing up to 10 hours of operation
• manual clutches, integrated carry handles, illuminated accessory tray and USB charging port
• Fastar/HyperStar compatibility enabling operation at f/2 with an optional optical assembly
• equatorial operation after installing an optional equatorial wedge

Set contents

• Celestron EdgeHD 9.25" optical tube
• NexStar Evolution single-arm Go-To mount
• stainless-steel tripod
• accessory tray
• StarSense AutoAlign system with camera and hand controller
• StarPointer Pro red-dot finderscope
• 25 mm 1.25" Plössl eyepiece
• Celestron Omni 2× 1.25" Barlow lens
• 1.25" Moon filter
• 2" star diagonal with a 1.25" adapter
• AC adapter with four interchangeable plug fittings
• access to the Celestron SkyPortal app
• Celestron Starry Night Special Edition and Celestron PWI software

Technical specifications

• catalogue number: 12097
• optical design: aplanatic flat-field EdgeHD Schmidt-Cassegrain
• aperture: 235 mm
• focal length: 2350 mm
• focal ratio: f/10
• optional focal ratio with a Fastar/HyperStar system: f/2
• optional focal ratio with the EdgeHD 0.7× reducer: f/7
• optical coatings: StarBright XLT
• central obstruction: 85 mm; 36% by diameter; 13% by area
• focal length of the included eyepiece: 25 mm
• magnification with the included eyepiece: 94×
• useful magnification range: 34–555×
• limiting stellar magnitude: 14.4 mag
• Rayleigh resolution: 0.59 arcseconds
• Dawes resolution: 0.49 arcseconds
• light-gathering power compared with the human eye: 1127×
• optical tube material: aluminium
• cooling vents: fitted with 50-mesh filters
• primary mirror stabilization: flexible mirror clutches reducing image shift
• optical tube length: 559 mm
• optical tube diameter: 271.8 mm
• optical tube weight: 9.53 kg
• dovetail standard: CG-5
• mount type: computerized, altazimuth, single-arm
• mount payload capacity: 11 kg
• drive system: DC servo motors and worm gears on both axes
• slew speeds: 9
• maximum slew speed: 4°/s
• tracking rates: sidereal, solar and lunar
• tracking modes: Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South
• automatic alignment: StarSense AutoAlign
• hand controller database: over 40,000 objects
• number of AUX ports: 4
• Wi-Fi: built-in
• USB: mobile-device charging port and hand-controller connection to a computer
• autoguider port: none
• periodic error correction: none
• GPS receiver: none
• battery: built-in 9.6 V, 4.5 Ah LiFePO4
• battery operating time: up to 10 hours
• tripod: stainless steel
• tripod leg diameter: 50.8 mm
• mount and tripod height range: 1244.6–1651 mm
• mount head weight: 7 kg
• tripod weight: 12.06 kg
• total kit weight: 28.4 kg

The combination of corrected EdgeHD optics, StarSense automatic alignment and independent power makes the system well suited to detailed visual observing and a gradual introduction to astrophotography.