What does it do?
More about the options
Touted as a "handheld planetarium," Celestron's SkyScout is a handheld telescope device that gives expansive information about a star or planet. By "targeting" the celestial body, you can simply press a button to initiate the SkyScout's many informational options about it. Besides telling you what exactly you're looking at - the SkyScout gives you insight about that star, planet, constellation or nebula, as well as trivia, facts, history and mythological references. How does it work?
You might not have ever guessed!
The SkyScout is linked to a satellite that tracks your current location, and the signal sent from the device as you use it. Pretty neat, huh? GPS technology is all it needs to identify what you're looking at. Point the SkyScout and use its targeting system. Its radial arrows illuminate once you've locked on to a star located near the center of the scope. Even if you haven't located a star manually, it can guide you toward one. From there, a simple press of the target button will bring up multiple options about the object you're looking at. The categories of options are available to you on an illuminated LCD display panel on the side of the device, which prompt fully-spoken dialogues, filled with facts and information. These categories can be selected with the directional cross button. Its huge database has a working knowledge of over 6,000 stars, planets, nebulae and star clusters!Finding Celestial Objects
A "tonight's highlights" option lets you know what's clear and visible on the particular night you are using the SkyScout. Its radial arrow pattern located around the observation lens will literally point you in the right direction, until you've found the exact planet, star or constellation you were looking for. Overall, the design and functionality of the SkyScout make it easy to use, and for all ages to enjoy.
Upgradeable
The SkyScout's built-in USB port allows you to hook it up to your computer, and download periodical upgrades that add to the unit's database of knowledge, or improve performance.
Get the Celestron SkyScout!
Own this great device, at a low price!
Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
Amazon Price: $399.99 (as of 05/17/2008)
List Price: $617.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Additional Information
Specifications from the Manufacturer
Celestial Database* 6,000 Stars, 1,500 Double & Variable Stars, all 88 constellations, over 100 deep space objects including Galaxies, Nebulae & Star Clusters, over 200 audio descriptions of the most popular celestial objects
User Controls
* Target Button
* Menu Navigation: Four-way control
* One-Touch Controls: Identify, Locate, GPS, and Main Menu
* Display Brightness: Increase, Decrease
* Volume: Increase, Decrease
* Power: On/Off
Display
* Graphic LCD display with red LED backlight
* 3"W x 1"H (78mm x 26mm)
* 240 x 80 with a 0.325mm dot pitch
Audio
* Maximum output power: 50mW
* Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
Inputs and Outputs
* SD card slot
* USB for connection to PC
* 3.5mm stereo jack for headphones
Headphones
* Earbud-style headphones included
Skylink Interface
* Download of new celestial objects (including newly discovered comets, etc.)
* Download of firmware upgrades
Size and Weight
* Height: 2.5 inches
* Depth: 4.0 inches
* Width: 7.4 inches
* Weight: 15.2 ounces (without batteries)
Power and Battery
* 2 x 1.5V AA batteries (not included)
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