Celestron’s innovative NexStar Star Location Telescope (SLT) has been a customer favorite for years, thanks to its unique combination of high-quality optics, a user-friendly computerized interface, and a sturdy single-fork arm mount.
This complete telescope kit comes with a pre-assembled, adjustable stainless-steel tripod, quick-release fork arm, NexStar+ computerized hand control, a powerful 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, and an array of bonus accessories.
Designed for effortless setup, the entire kit requires no tools for assembly, and the fast SkyAlign procedure will have you ready to observe in minutes. This makes the NexStar 127SLT your perfect companion for impromptu observing sessions and all-night stargazing marathons alike.
Your NexStar 127SLT will reveal breathtaking details of the lunar surface, Venus and its phases, the polar caps on Mars, Jupiter and its four moons, and Saturn with its rings plainly visible. It can also transition seamlessly into a land-based spotting telescope for daytime and wildlife observations.
Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design
The MAK is a catadioptric telescope, which means its advanced optical design includes both a lens and a mirror. Light entering a MAK passes through the corrector lens to the primary mirror, reflecting back to a spherical secondary mirror before hitting the eyepiece. The result? Bright, razor-sharp images virtually free of chromatic aberration.
This unique design offers several standout benefits. Instead of a separate secondary mirror, the MAK features a "secondary spot" of reflective coating applied directly to the inside of the corrector plate. Because of this, the telescope does not require frequent collimation like a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain. Additionally, the secondary spot is significantly smaller, granting the MAK its signature high-contrast views.
The Mount & Advanced Technologies
Computerized AltAzimuth Mount
Features a rigid single-fork arm altazimuth mount that allows the telescope to track desired objects automatically as they move across the night sky, sitting firmly on a pre-assembled adjustable steel tripod.
NexStar+ Hand Control
Automatically slew to any of the 40,000+ celestial objects with the push of a button. Use the Sky Tour feature to automatically generate a curated list of the best objects visible based on your exact time and location.
SkyAlign™ Technology
Our proprietary procedure makes alignment faster and easier than ever. Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky—even the Moon or planets—and it triangulates its position automatically. No star charts required.
Flexible Power Options
Go completely off-grid! Powered by 8 AA batteries (not included) via an internal compartment to eliminate cord wrap, or upgrade using a PowerTank portable battery or a 12V AC Adapter (sold separately).
Accessories Included & Upgrades
Out of the box, your telescope includes a StarPointer™ red dot finderscope, a star diagonal for comfortable viewing angles, and two distinct eyepieces (25mm and 9mm) providing low- and high-powered magnifications.
The NexStar 127SLT is ready to grow with you. It is fully compatible with Celestron's latest specialized accessories, including the StarSense AutoAlign, SkyPortal WiFi module, and PowerTank Lithium.
🎁 BONUS: Starry Night Software Download Included
Your purchase includes a free download of Celestron's premier Starry Night Special Edition software. This powerful astronomy package provides rich interactive resources, customizable viewing maps, and an extensive database to easily plan your upcoming stargazing sessions.
| Optical Tube Info | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
| Aperture | 127mm (5") |
| Focal Length | 1500mm (59") |
| Focal Ratio | f/12 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 | 25mm (0.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1 | 60x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2 | 9mm (0.35") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2 | 167x |
| Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Star Diagonal | 1.25" |
| Optical Tube Material | Aluminum |
| Highest Useful Magnification | 300x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification | 18x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 13 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh) | 1.1 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes) | 0.91 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power | 329x (Compared to human eye) |
| Optical Coatings | Fully Coated |
| Dovetail | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| Mount Info | |
| Mount Type | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Instrument Load Capacity | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Height Adjustment Range | 762mm - 1270mm (30" - 50") |
| Tripod Leg Diameter | 31.75mm (1.25") Stainless steel |
| Mount Head Weight | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Accessory Tray | Yes |
| Tripod Weight | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Slew Speeds | 9 speeds - Max speed 3°/second |
| Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes | Alt-Az, EQ North, and EQ South |
| Dovetail Compatibility | CG-5 saddle plate |
| Auxiliary Ports | 1x AUX Port & 1x Hand Control Port |
| USB Port | Yes (Input on hand control) |
| Power Requirements | 12 VDC or 8x AA Batteries (not included) |
| Motor Drive | DC Servo Motor |
| Alignment Procedures | SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star, 1-Star, 2-Star, Solar System Align |
| NexStar+ Database | Over 40,000 objects (including 220 Deep Sky/Solar System targets) |
| Included Items | Optical Tube, Mount Head, Tripod, Accessory Tray, NexStar+ Hand Control, 25mm & 9mm Eyepieces, StarPointer™ Finder, Star Diagonal. |
Solar Observation Warning!
- Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have a certified, proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
- Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can permanently damage the internal optics and attached accessories.
- Never leave the telescope unsupervised. Ensure an adult familiar with correct operation procedures is present at all times, especially when children are nearby.
Q Why doesn’t my red dot finderscope match the image on the box/website?
A: Celestron periodically optimizes the specific design of finderscopes bundled with certain telescopes. In some batches, you may receive a finderscope that is slightly different in aesthetic appearance than the one pictured on the packaging graphics, manual cover, or specific website promotional assets.
Rest assured that the finders are entirely identical in technical performance, quality, and core feature tracking.
The main architectural difference lies solely in the orientation of the integrated battery housing—and, therefore, your battery installation workflow.
Battery Replacement Instructions for Variant B:
- The battery housing on this specific finder design is placed directly on top of the module. Use a standard Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen the security screw keeping the battery door locked. (The screw is natively captured inside the door plate so it will not fall out).
- Lift the battery door panel up cleanly to expose the CR-2032 lithium cell battery.
- Carefully position your fingernail or a non-conductive plastic tool along either side of the cell edge to pop it out from the slot.
- Insert the fresh CR-2032 button battery, making sure the Positive (+) side faces upwards, sliding it underneath the dual copper contact tabs at the front end.
- Press the battery down completely until it snaps securely beneath the plastic retention clips opposite.
- Close the upper door plate and tighten down the Phillips screw back in place to seal the unit.
| Brand | Celestron |