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Customer Reviews
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Positive - Review by Mary Kelsey
This is a very good first telescope lots of fun,thank you for your follow up. (Posted on 18/04/11)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
I'm looking for a beginner telescope for my husband. I'm just wondering what level of detail would we be able to see using the Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ Refractor, eg, could we see the moon's surface clearly? Also would you recommend Refractor over Reflector?
A:
With the 50AZ Refractor you'll be able to see the moon and her craters, as well as some of the bigger planets. Although you won't be able to see them in the greatest of detail, you can easily see things like the rings of Saturn, as well as some bright nebulae, but this is very dependent on the light pollution in your area. Here's an image gallery of pictures taken by users using the 50AZ (http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=5&ProdID=495#idTab9).
The refractor telescopes use lenses so their image quality would be the best among the other types of telescopes. The reflector telescopes use mirrors so their image quality is not as sharp, but reflector telescopes are cheaper to produce and they generally come with larger apertures as well. In general, the larger the aperture the more detail you would be able to see on the moon or the planets.
I would recommend a refractor telescope if you wanted to look at just the moon and the planets. Refractors generally come in much smaller apertures but give much sharper image quality. For a beginner, I think the Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ Refractor Telescope that you're looking at would be suitable :) However this telescope has the smallest aperture, so you can also go for larger apertures such as 90mm or more if you'd like to see more detail in the moon and planets.
The refractor telescopes use lenses so their image quality would be the best among the other types of telescopes. The reflector telescopes use mirrors so their image quality is not as sharp, but reflector telescopes are cheaper to produce and they generally come with larger apertures as well. In general, the larger the aperture the more detail you would be able to see on the moon or the planets.
I would recommend a refractor telescope if you wanted to look at just the moon and the planets. Refractors generally come in much smaller apertures but give much sharper image quality. For a beginner, I think the Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ Refractor Telescope that you're looking at would be suitable :) However this telescope has the smallest aperture, so you can also go for larger apertures such as 90mm or more if you'd like to see more detail in the moon and planets.
Q:
How do use this? I can't see anything!
A:
If you can't see anything clearly through your telescope at night, try using the scope in daylight first. It is much easier to familiarize yourself with focusing, aiming the telescope and aligning the finderscope or StarPointer in daylight if you are new to astronomy.
Most problems can be solved with either one of these Solutions:
1. Has the dust-cap been taken off? The Dust cap is also split into 2 parts, a small and large Dust Cap. The smaller Dust Cap is mainly for viewing the Sun and the large Dust Cap must be removed for Astronomy. If you plan to look at the sun, please do not attempt it without a solar filter - you will go blind!
2. Is the Finder-scope Aligned? Every Telescope comes with a Finderscope. This Finder-Scope must be aligned or will be rendered useless. Align the finder scope during the day by pointing the main telescope at a far off object (>1km) such as a house or tree. Locate the object in the finder scope and make the necessary adjustments using the Adjustment Screws.
3. Use the lowest magnification eyepiece to locate the moon. The easiest object to locate in the Night Sky is the Moon as it can be found and identified with the naked eye. Start with the Lowest Magnification eyepiece (largest size in mm) and point at the moon to get a feel how the Telescope works and what the controls do.
4. Once confident, use a Map / Night Sky Guide / iPhone App, PC Software to locate other objects in the sky. Having a point of reference makes navigating the Night Sky much easier.
Most problems can be solved with either one of these Solutions:
1. Has the dust-cap been taken off? The Dust cap is also split into 2 parts, a small and large Dust Cap. The smaller Dust Cap is mainly for viewing the Sun and the large Dust Cap must be removed for Astronomy. If you plan to look at the sun, please do not attempt it without a solar filter - you will go blind!
2. Is the Finder-scope Aligned? Every Telescope comes with a Finderscope. This Finder-Scope must be aligned or will be rendered useless. Align the finder scope during the day by pointing the main telescope at a far off object (>1km) such as a house or tree. Locate the object in the finder scope and make the necessary adjustments using the Adjustment Screws.
3. Use the lowest magnification eyepiece to locate the moon. The easiest object to locate in the Night Sky is the Moon as it can be found and identified with the naked eye. Start with the Lowest Magnification eyepiece (largest size in mm) and point at the moon to get a feel how the Telescope works and what the controls do.
4. Once confident, use a Map / Night Sky Guide / iPhone App, PC Software to locate other objects in the sky. Having a point of reference makes navigating the Night Sky much easier.
Q:
I'm just wondering how do I set my Celestron Powerseeker 50AZ to view normal e.g- not upside down/ or backwards, just a normal view, it's the same with the viewfinder as well.
A:
Your telescope comes with an erecting diagonal (elbow bit) which should connect between the eyepiece and the telescope. If you have the telescope set up without it, then that would cause the image to be displayed incorrectly.
The viewfinder is designed to show the image upside because the telescope actually produced an inverted image.
The viewfinder is designed to show the image upside because the telescope actually produced an inverted image.
Q:
I am 13 years old and I am interested in space but do not have a telescope. What is a good telescope which is suitable for me?
A:
The Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ Telescope definitely would be great beginner telescope for you! It has a 50mm aperture (external lens) which will determine your viewing area and light collection. It would definitely be a great starting scope.
I could also recommend the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ which is also a beginner telescope. It has a 70mm aperture, which means you will get a bigger, brighter picture. It can be found on our website here:
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/refractor-telescope-celestron-astromaster-70az.html
I could also recommend the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ which is also a beginner telescope. It has a 70mm aperture, which means you will get a bigger, brighter picture. It can be found on our website here:
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/refractor-telescope-celestron-astromaster-70az.html
Q:
What's the weight of this telescope?
I would like to know the weight that the tripod mount can handle.
I would like to know the weight that the tripod mount can handle.
A:
The Telescope would weigh at approximately 2kg. The Tripod that comes with the Telescope is relatively light and is not recommended for Heavy Duty work.
