NEWS  Photography  January 15, 2024  Reading time: 3 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Celestron has unveiled its latest innovation, the Celestron Origin. Announced at CES 2024, this intelligent home observatory is set to revolutionize the stargazing experience for both novice and seasoned astronomers.

The Celestron Origin integrates state-of-the-art RASA optics, providing an extraordinary wide field of view and ultra-fast telescope technology. At its core is a customized version of the Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) f/2.2 optical system, a choice favored by professional researchers and government institutions worldwide.

What sets Celestron Origin apart is its onboard camera sensor and AI-powered image processing capabilities. Utilizing a 6.4 MP Sony IMX178 color CMOS sensor with STARVIS back-illuminated ultra-high sensitivity-low noise technology, it delivers unparalleled clarity and image detail, making it a valuable tool for astrophotographers of all levels.

Corey Lee, CEO of Celestron, emphasizes the user-friendly nature of the Celestron Origin, stating:

"Viewing the night sky has traditionally been complicated for amateur astronomers. Celestron Origin removes all these barriers, offering beginners, experts, and anyone in between an easy-to-use and state-of-the-art home observatory experience."

Origin goes beyond optical performance, incorporating integrated software, a mobile app, and automated electronics that streamline tasks such as sky alignment, focusing, tracking, object identification, and location. This all-in-one intelligent functionality ensures unprecedented convenience, regardless of the user's skill level.

A standout feature of Celestron Origin is its ability to offer a complete star-concierge experience. Users can schedule deep-space viewing, allowing the observatory to autonomously capture and save celestial objects for later enjoyment or sharing with fellow enthusiasts.

The proprietary app, developed in collaboration with Simulation Curriculum, provides a planetarium-style interface with educational audio presentations on selected celestial objects. It also enables fully remote operation via smartphone or tablet, including the option to mirror the screen on a smart TV for indoor viewing comfort.

Celestron Origin's development spans over a decade, reflecting the company's commitment to delivering a superior stargazing experience. Lee notes, "More than 60 years ago, our founder embarked on a journey to deliver a better stargazing experience. Celestron Origin is the best way to explore the universe right from your own home".

Addressing competition from Unistellar, Celestron highlights crucial differences. The RASA optics in Celestron Origin offer rapid image delivery, contrasting with the potentially longer processing time of Unistellar. Additionally, Celestron emphasizes the importance of autofocus, a feature lacking in Unistellar's existing models.

Celestron Origin stands out as an intelligent home observatory, not just a SmartScope. The culmination of over ten years of development and 65 years of telescope design and optics innovation, it brings industry-leading technology to consumers without the need for prior astronomy experience.

Eric Kopit, innovation specialist for Celestron Origin, underscores the AI image enhancement within the Origin app, offering a seamless experience for users. The app's proprietary AI, developed by Celestron and a cutting-edge AI firm, ensures optimal image processing for astronomical objects.

Celestron Origin represents a leap forward in home observatories, offering a combination of cutting-edge optics, AI technology, and user-friendly design. As stargazing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate its debut, Celestron Origin promises to make exploring the universe more accessible and captivating than ever before.

 MEDIA CREDITS: CELESTRON