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Celestron has launched the Celestron Origin, a smart home observatory designed for astronomy lovers. Located in Torrance, California, Celestron specializes in AI-based telescopes and optical equipment. By incorporating advanced technology with user-friendly features, the Celestron Origin aims to make stargazing effortless for both amateurs and experienced astronomers. This announcement was made at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
The Celestron Origin offers cutting-edge RASA optics, enabling users to explore the cosmos from their living room, backyard, or even a campsite. This positions Celestron to compete with Unistellar, which uses AI to filter out city light pollution, making it easier to view distant galaxies from urban homes. According to Celestron, the Origin combines decades of innovation, integrating top-tier optical and astronomical technology.
With the Celestron Origin, you can observe galaxies from your backyard using a customized Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) f/2.2 optical system. Known for its wide field of view and fast telescope technology, the RASA system is favored by professional researchers and government institutions.
What sets the Celestron Origin apart is its built-in camera sensor and AI image processing, delivering detailed, vibrant images to your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV within seconds. The 6.4 MP Sony IMX178 color CMOS sensor offers high sensitivity and low noise, providing superior clarity and detail compared to traditional telescopes, making it ideal for both novice and seasoned astrophotographers.
Celestron Origin’s CEO, Corey Lee, highlighted that traditional amateur stargazing often requires extensive setup and knowledge, while observing at public observatories can be restrictive. The Celestron Origin simplifies the process, offering a state-of-the-art, user-friendly experience for all skill levels.
Additionally, Celestron Origin features integrated software, a mobile app, and automated electronics that make stargazing simple and convenient. Tasks like sky alignment, focusing, and object tracking are autonomously managed, providing a hassle-free experience. Users can even schedule deep-space photography sessions while they sleep, with the telescope capturing images for later viewing or sharing.
The observatory’s app, developed in collaboration with Simulation Curriculum, includes educational audio presentations and allows remote operation via smartphone or tablet. The app’s planetarium-style interface enriches the stargazing experience, and the option to mirror the display on a smart TV adds to viewing comfort.
Celestron Origin represents over a decade of development and utilizes Celestron’s 65 years of experience in telescope innovation. The goal is to deliver a premium user experience that rivals professional equipment, but with automated setup and navigation that requires no prior astronomy knowledge.
Celestron noted a key advantage over Unistellar: the speed of image processing. Using RASA optics, the Celestron Origin can produce high-quality images in less than a minute, compared to the minutes required by Unistellar. Celestron believes its autofocus capability and indoor convenience further differentiate it from Unistellar’s models.
The Celestron Origin is designed to mimic a home theater projector experience, ideal for social gatherings. Guests can sync their devices with Origin to keep and share the images captured, enhancing the communal enjoyment of stargazing.
Compared to Unistellar’s 4.5-inch F/4 system, Celestron’s six-inch F/2.2 system collects nearly twice as much light, making it significantly faster and resulting in brighter, more detailed images.
Celestron Origin is not just a SmartScope but a comprehensive intelligent home observatory. The sophisticated AI image enhancement technology, developed specifically for astronomical objects, ensures the best possible image quality without user intervention. The system decides the optimal settings automatically, making astronomy accessible to everyone.
Ultimately, Celestron believes its advanced technology and user-friendly features set the Origin apart, providing an unparalleled stargazing experience from the comfort of home.