With 30% more light gathering than the 114mm telescope and 345x more than the human eye, the Celestron NexStar 130SLT Newtonian Reflector has the shortest focal length of the entire Nexstar SLT Series, meaning that it is suited for planetary observing as well as many bright deep sky objects such as bright galaxies, nebulae, open cluster, and globular clusters due to its 5" primary mirror.

For astronomers taking their first stargazing night in a nonlight polluted location, it can be tough to align the scope. Luckily, Celestron has implemented a few different alignment options in the Celestron NexStar 130SLT computerized telescope. The one that probably comes most in handy for the beginner is the sky align method. No knowledge of the night sky is required. All the user must enter into the NexStar hand controller is the location, time, and date. Then they must slew and center the telescope on three bright stars (or planets) and the software can calculate the axis and coordinates between each selection and determine what stars were selected. Basically, the Celestron NexStar SLT 130 aligns itself! Once properly aligned, the observer has a 40,000 object database to slew through! These include Messier objects, NGC, IC as well as the planets. The observer can also control their Celestron NexStar 130SLT computerized telescope with a computer using the optional RS-232 cable. The NexStar controller software can be updated via flash whenever software updates become available.

• The Celestron NexStar 130SLT Newtonian Reflector has an impressive 30% more light gathering power and 345x more than the human eye! More than enough to view the planets in fine detail as well as some deep sky objects due to its short focal length.
• Has multiple alignment methods with the Sky Align feature being the easiest for a new observer.
• The GoTo software and hand control has a 40,000 celestial object database to slew and track depending on the user's location and time of night.
• An RS-232 cable can connect the telescope to a computer.