Celestron FirstScope Moon Signature Series by Robert Reeves
Item #22016
A beautifully illustrated 76mm tabletop Dobsonian telescope that brings the Moon within reach—designed for beginners, families, and lunar lovers alike.
The Moon has captivated the human imagination for millennia. With the Celestron FirstScope Moon Signature Series, you can bring that wonder a little closer—both literally and artistically. This special-edition version of Celestron’s beloved FirstScope telescope features a vibrant, Moon-themed optical tube designed in collaboration with master lunar imager and author Robert Reeves. The wraparound graphic showcases 10 prominent lunar features—including famous craters and maria—that you can locate and explore for yourself using the telescope.
Compact, stylish, and refreshingly easy to use, the FirstScope Moon Signature Series is the ideal starter scope for young astronomers and curious families. It’s lightweight enough to take along on camping trips or stargazing picnics, yet powerful enough to show craters, mountain ranges, and terminator shadows on the Moon in crisp detail. And with two included eyepieces, you can switch between wide-field lunar vistas and high-power close-ups in seconds.
Easy to Use, Fun to Explore
The FirstScope's tabletop Dobsonian mount operates smoothly in altitude and azimuth, making it simple to aim. Just rotate the tube toward your target and enjoy the view—no batteries, alignment routines, or polar setups required. It’s a fantastic way to explore the sky visually without the distractions of complex electronics.
Out of the box, the 76mm Newtonian reflector comes ready to observe. Pop in the included 20mm eyepiece for a 15x wide-field view, ideal for scanning the Moon’s maria or star clusters. Switch to the 4mm eyepiece for 75x magnification to inspect the finer details of craters like Tycho or Copernicus. The fast f/3.95 focal ratio also gives it a generous field of view—great for beginners learning to navigate the night sky.
A Telescope That Teaches
More than just a pretty design, the Moon wrap on this FirstScope is an interactive lunar map. You’ll learn the names and locations of major features, then be able to track them down with the telescope itself. And thanks to the included Lunar Landscapes eBook by Robert Reeves, budding astronomers can dive deeper—learning how craters form, how to distinguish between maria and highlands, and how the Moon has evolved over billions of years.
When not in use, the Moon Signature Series FirstScope doubles as a striking piece of astronomy décor—a functional, educational display for bookshelves, desktops, or classroom counters.
About Robert Reeves
Robert Reeves is a living legend in amateur astronomy, having first photographed the Moon in 1959—the same year NASA began charting its course toward Apollo. Today, he continues to produce some of the world’s most detailed lunar images using modern Celestron gear. His dedication to lunar observing spans decades, and his work makes him the perfect partner for this hands-on lunar learning telescope.
Technical Specifications
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Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
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Aperture: 76mm (2.99")
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Focal Length: 300mm
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Focal Ratio: f/3.95
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Eyepieces Included: 20mm (15x), 4mm (75x)
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Mount Type: Manual Tabletop Dobsonian
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Optical Tube: Plastic housing with custom Moon artwork
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Coatings: Aluminum with SiO₂ overcoat
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Resolution: 1.53 arcsec (Dawes), 1.83 arcsec (Rayleigh)
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Light Gathering Power: 118x (compared to the unaided eye)
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Tube Length: 10.5" (266mm)
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Total Weight: 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg)
Observing Tip
The Moon offers up its most dramatic views around the first and third quarter phases—when shadows cast by surface features along the terminator line create high contrast and reveal fine detail. Try sketching what you see each night and watching how the shadows change as the Moon waxes and wanes. It’s a fun and educational way to build your observing skills.
Final Thoughts
The Celestron FirstScope Moon Signature Series is more than just a beginner’s telescope—it’s a hands-on invitation to explore the Moon with guidance from one of the world’s foremost lunar imagers. Beautiful, affordable, and ready to use right out of the box, it’s a wonderful gift for young astronomers or anyone looking to fall in love with the night sky for the first time.
Whether you’re exploring lunar craters from your backyard or just enjoying a quiet night under the stars, this little scope delivers big-time wonder.
Solar Safety Warning
Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the 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 buildup can damage the optic and accessories.
Always supervise children when using any telescope.
