The Celestron Origin is a technological marvel. Real-time streaming of what your telescope is seeing to your smartphone or smart television.
The most common question we've been asked here since the 2000s is, can I see on my television/phone what my telescope sees? The answer at first was simply no, technology just wasn't there. A little bit later the answer was kind of. More recently the answer has been yes, however, it's difficult, the equipment is heavy, and it just isn't the most user-friendly.
Other companies have come along and tried to answer the consumers' streaming questions. Most of the products are quite nice, however, there are some shortfalls in the consumer’s eyes. Some issues are the telescope is too small, or the company is a start-up, or the optical system isn't really the one I wanted, or it's just still too complicated, etc. And it's not the issues are bad, it's just that they could take away from the enjoyment and experience of using the various instruments. So for the past few years, Celestron's engineers have been hard at work trying to answer all of the issues that customers have raised.
Celestron's answer is the Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory. After years of research and input from dealers and consumers, the Origin looks to take its place as the leader in smart telescopes. This instrument will allow the earth-bound astronaut in all of us to enjoy amazing views of the heavens in full color. It makes the skies, and astroimaging, easily accessible to all of us even if you have never used a telescope.
The most important thing was to differentiate itself from the other scopes on the market. The Origin needed to have an optical tube that was world-class and different from the other common offerings that are out there. Refractors and reflectors are fine instruments, and at times exceptional, but they have inherent optical problems when you try to get them as fast as the public wants their instrument to be. Celestron chose not to use their gold standard Schmidt Cassegrain, as it was slow at f/10 and didn't really meet the requirements they were looking for. So they turned to their own world-class optical system. An optical system that is proprietary and used by discerning Astro photographers around the world. The Rowe Ackerman Schmidt Astrograph.
The RASA is an optical system unlike any other on the market today. It is designed from imaging from the ground up. It is used by professionals and government agencies needing real-time observation capabilities of the night sky. Its f/2.2 focal ratio is the perfect match for the needs of the Origin. The RASA line currently ranges from 8” to 14” and those proved too large for this application, so they made an entirely new size telescope for the Original. The 6” 335mm focal length OTA will provide the users with the full real-time experience that they require.
Honestly, an optical system is only as good as the mount and electronics that are underneath it. Celestron has once again relied on proven technology combined with cutting-edge new technology to make the Origin a reality. First off let's talk about the weight of the system. We always tell everyone the best system isn't necessarily the largest, it's the one that gets used the most often. And you have to be easy to move around to be used often. If an object is cumbersome and weighty generally it won’t get used. Celestron took that to heart and the Origin ways it all together at 41 pounds. If that proves to be too bulky for some, the system can be broken up into three easy-to-move pieces with the heaviest being 17 pounds.
Once you get the scope out to your observing/Astrophotography spot now comes what is proven to be the most difficult for astronomers over the years. Lining up the scope. The alignment of the telescope couldn't be any easier with the Origin, you simply turn it on. From there the Celestron Origin begins to use it Starsense technology to map the stars in the sky aligning itself from the data it collects. This process should take of roughly 2 minutes. You can choose to stay with your scope while it aligns itself or you can go inside and relax. Once you're aligned you're just a few taps away on your app from observing or taking pictures.
The Celestron Origin app is a joy to use. One of our favorite features is the planetarium view. You just hold your phone up the night sky and move it around. You will see the star chart on your phone move with you. Tap an object on the screen and watch the Origin move to the position in the sky. Don’t want to go and explore on your own, then use the "Tonight’s Best" list. The Origin will tell you what objects are the best to view on any given night. When you have chosen the first celestial object you wish to observe, simply switch to camera view and press Start Imaging. The Origin will go to work capturing 10 second exposures. As it is grabbing the exposures the Origin will continue to track the object in the sky keeping it aligned in the center of the field.
One of the best parts about the Origin is the fact that it's not confined to a singular person being able to observe. Gone are the days of the person in front of you at the telescope looking through the eyepiece going “ooh and aah”, while you are just wondering what exactly are they seeing and whether are you missing it. Now the Origin can stream in real time through the app to your smart TV, so you can share what the Origin is seeing. Another option is that people can get the Origin app and you can share what the telescope is doing with them. It truly is making this a community viewing experience. The Origin also provides something that our eye simply can’t see, color in deep space objects. Traditionally when looking through an eyepiece our eyes can’t gather enough photons to bring out color in the nebula. The AI algorithms will stack and process each frame in real time allowing the colors to fill your screen.
As the Origin is autonomous it has some nice features that allow you to be worry-free for the observing/imaging session. For example, it has a built-in lithium battery, no more power cords to potentially trip over. It also has a built-in dew heater that keeps the corrector free of dew making sure your session isn't interrupted by temperature-related issues. On top of that, you can add filters to the telescope using a built-in filter drawer that accepts standard 1.25 inch and 2 inch filters. This will allow you to install optional light pollution filters to further enhance the nebula from your light polluted backyard. If you decide to get more advanced with your imaging, Origin will store all the raw images for you. You can then hook up a USB drive to import the images and edit them as you wish on your computer. I think the neatest thing about the Origin is the fact that you can schedule observations. So basically, you can have the Origin photograph all night while you're sleeping.
The Original uses a Sony IMX178LQJ color chip as its built-in camera of choice. The back illuminated Starvis chip keeps noise low and high sensitivity with fast readout allowing the Origin to have real time capabilities. It is truly a perfect match for the 6” RASA.
The Celestron Origin is truly a new direction in astronomy. With the expertise of the world leader in telescopes and your imagination the possibilities are endless.
Everyone has an Origin story, what will yours be?
