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Celestron SkyProdigy 6 Telescope

ByWill Kalif Posted on Updated on

Celestron SkyProdigy 6 Telescope is a perfect scope for a beginner as it takes unbelievably less time to set up (only 3 minutes), and gives more time for observation. It makes the first experience of a beginner hassle-free and allows observing myriads of sky objects with just a smooth hand controller. The combo of Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design and StarBright XLT optical coating system collects enough light to resolve dim night sky objects and make the views clear. It comes with a fully motorized mount with a hand controller and sturdy tripod.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Celestron SkyProdigy 6 

Advantages

  • 5-inch Newtonian reflectors provide comfortable views.
  • Auto alignment system.
  • StarSense Technology helps to get started.
  • Smooth hand control and GoTo mount.
  • No tool is needed for easy & quick setup.
  • Enough aperture
  • High-quality optics.
  • Backlash compensation allows more precise tracking.

Disadvantages

  • The stability of the tripod is questionable.

Technical Specifications of Celestron SkyProdigy 6 Telescope

Optics

  • 152 mm aperture with 1500 mm focal length making an f/10 focal ratio.
  • Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design is great for observing small objects.
  • StarBright XLT multi-layer quartz and titanium dioxide mirror coatings provide high-quality images.
  • Anti-reflective lens coating with multi-layer hafnium dioxide & magnesium fluoride enhances visual clarity and reduces blue exposure.
  • Corrector lens is made of high transmission water white glass with 97.4% light transmission.
  • Resolution is 0.76 arcsec (Dawes) & 0.92 arcsec (Rayleigh)
  • The focusing scheme is internal.

StarSense Technology

  • Includes an integrated digital camera and a hand controller.
  • The camera is able to store a lot of pictures for further analysis in the database.
  • Once it is matched, it helps the scope to orient automatically and align the mount.
  • The time for alignment is 3 minutes.

Hand Controller

  • Database with more than 4000 night-sky objects
  • SkyTour Mode helps to find the best viewing objects available in the sky automatically.
  • Customizable identify, catalog, and tour filters.
  • GoTo mode can take the user to stellar coordinates.
  • Alternate alignment with the solar system and manual is available.
  • Nine slew speeds are   3.5°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 0.3°/sec, 32x, 16x,  8x, 4x, 2x.
  • Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar help to track objects accurately.
  • LCD display 
  • Easy and user-friendly interface.
  • Red backlit provides night-adjusted views.
  • The exposure of the display is controllable.

Mount and Tripod

  • Alt-azimuth mount with a single arm
  • Dual-axis DC servo motors reduce vibration and ensure smooth movement.
  • Optical encoders can auto-align if the mount is moved anyhow ensuring accurate tracking.
  • StarSense Camera provides seamless integration.
  • Dovetail saddle makes it easy to set up and break down.
  • Stainless steel spiked legs with a 1.25’’ diameter increase stability.
  • Adjustable tray to keep accessories.

Physical Appearance 

  • The weight is 20lb
  • The power source needs 8 D-cell batteries.

Accessories of SkyProdigy 6 Telescope

  • Two Eyepieces (25 mm 20x & 9mm 167x) with a barrel of 1.25’’ diameter.
  • 90° star diagonal Diagonal with 1.25’’ snout and eyepiece holder.
  • Finder

What can you see with Celestron SkyProdigy 6?

  • The moon and the planets of the solar system.
  • The cloud belts, a Great red spot, and 4 bright moons of Jupiter.
  • Cloud belts of Saturn, Cassini Division, rings, and moons.
  • Darker regions and ice caps of Mars.
  • The phases of Venus and mercury.
  • Uranus and Neptune as small blue dots.
  • Star clusters And nebulae like Lagoon, Orion, and Swan as fuzzy small dots.

Recommended Accessories 

  • Celestron AC to DC Power Adapter
  • Celestron 8-24mm Zoom Eyepiece (1.25″)
  • Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Kit (1.25″)
  • Celestron Moon Filter (1.25″) – Reduces Excessive Light Reflected From the Moon for Better Viewing
  • Oben Tripod Hammock
  • Celestron NexGo DX 2-Axis Smartphone Digiscoping Kit
  • Celestron T-Mount Adapter for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes
  • Celestron StarPointer Pro Finderscope

Astrophotography Example with Celestron SkyProdigy 6 

Fig 2: Astrophotography with Celestron SkyProdigy 6 Telescope (Ref: ytimg)  

Alternative Options To Celestron SkyProdigy 6 Telescope

Here are two alternatives at a similar price that provide similar views you can check on.

  • Celestron NexStar 6 SE- Better mount and more user-friendly.
  • Celestron NexStar Evolution 6- Better mount and accessories.

Will Kalif is an amateur astronomer at TelescopeNerd.com. Will is an author of the book "See It With A Small Telescope". Will Kalif has been passionate about telescopes and the wonders of the night sky ever since he received his first telescope as a teenager. And for several decades now he has been making and using his own telescopes and helping other people to also enjoy the various things that can be seen on a dark and starry night.