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Celestron NexStar 4SE


The Celestron NexStar 4SE combines extreme portability and tack sharp Maksutov-Cassegrain optics with the convenience of Celestron's NexStar computer go-to system. This is an ideal telescope for beginners who are primarily interested in the moon, planets, and brighter deep space objects, or for urban dwellers who are limited to these objects by local light pollution conditions. We find the Maksutov-Cassegrain optics of the NexStar 4SE to be preferable to Schmidt-Cassegrains when viewing the moon and planets because they offer higher contrast.


Item #ProductStock StatusPriceShipping
11049Celestron NexStar 4SE
In Stock - Ships Same Day (business days) This is "live" inventory data. If it says in stock, you can believe it.
$449.00
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Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope

Celestron NexStar 4SE: Excellent for Beginning Lunar / Planetary Observers

Let a Celestron NextStar SE help you find the moon, planets, thousands of stars, and even galaxies and nebulae at the touch of a button! In the tradition of Celestron's famous orange optical tubes, the NexStar 4SE combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with state-of-the-art features including a fully computerized operating system, flash upgradeable software, superior coatings, and Celestron's revolutionary SkyAlign telescope alignment software. SkyAlign is arguably one of the fastest and easiest go-to alignment methods available.

Once the NexStar 4SE is aligned, you are in the driver's seat. Simply choose an object from the menu and the telescope will find it for you. Using Celestron's patented NexStar technology, the SE scopes have the ability to locate nearly 40,000 objects. All you have to do is look through the eyepiece and enjoy the view!

But what if you are a beginner and don't know what object to choose? Not to worry - let the intelligent NexStar 4SE give you a guided tour of the night sky! The "Tour" feature offers a customized list of the best objects in the sky to view based upon the time, date and your location. Not only can your NexStar 4SE find objects, it can teach you about them as well. Information on the most popular objects can be viewed on the LCD screen of the keypad. (Note: Celestron literature refers to the keypad as a "hand control.")

Whether you are a seasoned astronomer looking for a portable scope with advanced features, or just starting your astronomy adventure and looking for an easy way to enjoy the night sky, a NexStar SE will help you take a closer look.

Celestron's Revolutionary SkyAlign

Using Celestron's patented SkyAlign, simply input the date and time, pick the nearest city to your location, then point the telescope at any three bright celestial objects. The on board NexStar computer does the rest, triangulating those three stars and mapping out a model of the night sky. You do not need to know the names of the alignment objects, and you can even pick the moon or bright planets. SkyAlign is fast, accurate, and above all, easy to use.

NexStar SE Key Features

  • Computerized hand control unit with nearly 40,000 object database and motorized altazimuth mount
  • Quick release optical tube for easy no-tool setup
  • StarBright XLT enhanced coatings for maximun light transmission and clarity
  • SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright objects, for a fast and easy alignment process.
  • StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
  • Flash upgradeable hand control (keypad); update your telescope's operating software via the internet
  • Internal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during use
  • Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer
  • THE SKY planetarium software - with 10,000 object database, printable sky maps, and enhanced images

Product Tour

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Product Specifications: Celestron NexStar 4SE
Manufacturer Series NexStar SE
Optical Specifications
Type Maksutov-Cassegrain
Aperture (mm) 102 mm
Aperture (in.) 4 inches
Focal Length 1325 mm
Focal Ratio f/13
Magnification (w/supplied eyepiece) 53X
Limiting Visual Stellar Magnitude <p><b>Limiting Stellar Magnitude</b><br /> This is a measure of the faintest star that can be seen with a telescope under ideal conditions. We include this figure for the purpose of comparing two telescopes of different apertures using a consistent scale. Many manufactures publish this specification. Unfortunately manufactures use different methods to calculate this figure, rendering the numbers useless for direct head to head comparison of different brands of telescopes. </p> <p>Limiting stellar magnitude is the sum of the naked eye limiting magnitude and the telescopic gain. The naked eye limiting magnitude varies by location due to local light pollution; therefore, it is an assumption. This figure could be 6.5 or higher at some of the darkest locations, but less than 2 in the middle of a large city. Our calculations assume a figure of 5, which one might typically find 30-40 miles from a major urban area. </p> <p>Telescopic gain is a direct function of aperture. No attempt has been made to compensate for the affects of central obstructions or different types of optical coatings.</p> 12.7 Magnitude
Accessories and Features
Included Eyepiece(s) 25mm Plossl
Finder Unit Power Red Dot
Go-To System Celestron NexStar system with 40,000+ object library. Flash upgradeable via the Internet.
Star Diagonal 1.25-inch internal Flip mirror system
Accepts 2" Eyepieces <p><b>Telescope Eyepiece Formats</b><br /> Virtually all telescope eyepieces available today conform to one of two barrel diameter standards: 1.25 or 2 inches. Most amateur astronomers will be perfectly content with 1.25" eyepieces. Two-inch eyepieces have only one inherent advantage. That advantage is a potentially larger field of view, but not every telescope can take advantage of that potential. </p> <p>A Telescope and eyepiece work together to collect parallel light rays over a large area, compress those light rays down into a smaller area, and the re-orient them so that they are nearly parallel once again. Essentially light arriving at a telescope with any given aperture is compressed into a smaller aperture or exit pupil. The ratio of the telescope aperture to eyepiece exit pupil determines the magnification.</p> <p>There are cases at very low magnifications where the eyepiece barrel diameter becomes the constraint on maximum field of view. The eyepiece barrel itself actually blocks some of the available light that the telescope is collecting, thus limiting the field of view. Two-inch eyepieces overcome this constrain by allowing a larger light cone to enter the eyepiece. We must conclude this discussion by restating that 2" eyepieces have no inherent advantage over 1.25" eyepieces other than the potential for a larger field of view when used with a telescope capable of benefiting from that advantage. </p> No
Adaptable for 2" Eyepieces <p><b>Two-inch Eyepiece Upgrade</b><br /> Some telescopes that are factory configured for 1.25" eyepieces can be upgraded to accommodate 2" eyepieces. Other telescopes are designed to handle only 1.25" eyepieces and cannot be upgraded due to their focuser size or other constraints. </p> <p>Sometimes this upgrade is possible but not recommended. This could be due to clearance issues caused by the addition of a larger 2" star diagonal,which in some cases will bottom out on the base of a fork mounted go-to telescope. This is potentially damaging the drive mechanism. In other cases the light cone exiting the telescope may not be large enough to derive any benefit from a 2" eyepiece.</p> No
Physical Parameters
Telescope Weight 11 Pounds
Tripod Weight 10 Pounds
Weight, Fully Assembled 21 Pounds
Suggested Accessories
Item #NameDescriptionPrice 
18774Celestron 7 AH Power Tank
Celestron 7 AH Power Tank
Now you can take your telescope anywhere with this portable rechargeable power supply. Whether you have a computerized telescope or operate your telescope using motors, Celestron specially designed this product with the amateur astronomer in mind$69.95
CASENEX6Celestron NexStar 4 SE / 5 SE / 6 SE Case
Celestron NexStar 4 SE / 5 SE / 6 SE Case
The case does NOT include any foam. You must use the ORIGINAL PACKAGING foam in this case. The case includes one steel-reinforced handle, two lockable latches and a 2 inch by 20 inch steel hinge.$219.00
05662Orion 1.25" Moon Filter, 13% Tranmission
Orion 1.25
The Moon's disk, even at partial phases, is intensely bright with reflected sunlight. The glare washes out most of the craters, rilles, and other surface details from view.$19.95
AZ-104Dew Shield for 102-105mm Maksutovs (Apex 102, 4 SE
Dew Shield for 102-105mm Maksutovs (Apex 102, 4 SE
Astrozap flexible dew shields are the ultimate flexible dew shield made of lightweight durable ABS plastic with a felt lined interior. These shields will delay the formation of dew for several hours under average conditions.$24.95
SCB456SE-2004/5/6 SE Soft Case Orange
4/5/6 SE Soft Case Orange
The Sirius Technologies soft case is a great way to transport your Celestron NexStar 4, 5, or 6 SE telescope. This case uses the original packaging foam from the Celestron shipping box. $99.95

The Celestron NexStar 4SE comes equipped with a single 25mm Plossl eyepiece. This will yield 53X magnification and a true field of view just slightly less than one degree. The full moon is 1/2 degree wide, and thus will fit entirely within this field. Planetary observing will be more enjoyable at 150X magnification or more. An eyepiece in the 6.7mm to 8.8mm range would be a fine addition to this telescope. See a list of these eyepieces by clicking here.

Eyepiece Calculator
Enter your eyepiece's specifications:
Focal Length (mm):
Apparent Field (deg.):
 
Magnification:
 
True Field:
 
Exit Pupil: <p>Exit pupil represents the diameter of the column of light exiting the eyepiece. Magnification is simply the ratio of telescope aperture to exit pupil. Fox example, using a telescope with 100mm aperture and an exit pupil of 2mm yields a magnification of 50X.</p> <p>There are both upper and lower limits to the useful range of exit pupils. The typical human eye pupil dilates to a maximum of 7mm when fully dark adapted. This figure decreases with age. Using an exit pupil that is larger than this upper limit simply spills the light onto an area of the eye not capable of receiving data. At the opposite end of the range, a smaller exit pupil means less area on the eye is collecting data. Images brightness decreases with decreasing exit pupil. Deep space objects grow dimmer rapidly as the exit pupil falls below 1 mm. The planets also start to become noticeably dimmer when the exit pupil falls much below 0.5 mm.</p> <p>Our eyepiece calculator provides warnings and error messages based upon the value of the exit pupil. These are intended to be guidelines as opposed to hard rules. There is no harm in violating these gidelines, but your enjoyment of the telescope may be diminished if you do. </p>