SkyScout by Celestron

SkyScoutThe Celestron SkyScout is a revolutionary handheld device that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more.

Simply point the SkyScout at any star in the sky and click the “target” button. The SkyScout will tell you what object you are looking at. To locate a star or planet, select the object’s name from the menu and follow the directional arrows through the viewfinder.  SkyScout tells you when you are on target. It’s that easy!

Once you have targeted an object the real fun begins. The SkyScout includes entertaining and educational audio and text information, including facts, trivia, history and mythology about our most popular celestial objects.

A fun learning tool for all ages, the Sky Scout personal planetarium puts the knowledge of an expert astronomer in the palm of your hand.

The Celestron Sky Scout is really easy to use and nice and light to you can hold it up for ages with no problem. The accompanying extras are also good such as the carry case, headphones and free batteries. It also important to keep an eye out on the Celestron web site for updates to the SkyScout, which allows you to update the firmware on the machine and also download exciting new updates of objects in the sky to look out for.

Buy SkyScout from Amazon

Sky Scout Specifications

Celestron Sky Scout Diagram

  • Identifies celestial objects with the click of a button
  • Locates over 50,000 stars, planets and constellations from built-in celestial database and provides scientific information for each object
  • Provides comprehensive text and audio descriptions providing history, mythology and other entertaining information for the most popular objects
  • Tonight’s Highlights: A customized list of the 20 best objects to view for your exact date, time and location anywhere in the world
  • Constellation Lessons: if the star you identify or locate is part of a constellation or an asterism like the Big Dipper, you can actually take a guided tour through all the stars in that constellation and even see an onscreen map of the constellation
  • Built-in Field Guide Includes:
    • Introduction to astronomy: a six part audio lesson on the origin and history of astronomy
    • Glossary of Terms: text defining popular astronomy terms including planets, comets, galaxies and more
    • Great Astronomers: text bios on some of the world’s greatest astronomers including Galileo, Einstein and Copernicus
    • Man Made Space Objects: text description of some of the coolest objects man has sent into space including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Space Shuttle
    • Comet Guide: text descriptions about history’s most famous comets including Halley’s Comet and Comet Hale-Bop
  • SD card slot: for optional “SkyScout Expansion Cards” audio presentations that provide hours of entertainment on a variety of topics (available Jan 08)
  • USB port: allows database to be updated with new objects as they are discovered, comets, etc. 
  • Simple enough for all ages:  just turn it on and it’s ready to use
  • Built-in Help Menu: includes a quick start instruction guide for using the SkyScout
  • Bring it anywhere: compact and light design makes it easy to carry and durable construction makes it safe for rugged environments
  • Backed by Celestron’s 2-year warranty

SkyScout Package Contents

SkyScout Package Contents

  1. SkyScout
  2. Carry Case
  3. Headphones
  4. USB Cable
  5. Batteries
  6. User Guide
  7. Software CD

Buy SkyScout from Amazon

SkyScout 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

SkyScout User Controls

  • Target Button
  • Menu Navigation: Four-way control
  • One-Touch Controls: Identify Function, Locate Function, GPS Function, and Main Menu
  • Display Brightness: Increase, Decrease
  • Volume: Increase, Decrease
  • Power: On/Off

SkyScout 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

SkyScout Audio

  • Maximum output power: 50mW
  • Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz

SkyScout Inputs and Outputs

  • SD card slot
  • USB for connection to PC
  • 3.5mm stereo jack for headphones

SkyScout Headphones

  • Earbud-style headphones included

Skylink Interface

  • Download of new celestial objects (including newly
    discovered comets, etc.)
  • Download of firmware upgrades

SkyScout Size and Weight

  • Height: 2.5 inches
  • Depth: 4.0 inches
  • Width: 7.4 inches
  • Weight: 15.2 ounces (without batteries)

SkyScout Power and Battery

  • 2 x 1.5V AA batteries (not included)

Overall Summary

This fabulous piece of kit puts expert astronomical knowledge into the palm of your hand. Point the Sky Scout personal planetarium at a heavenly body and it will identify any of 7,500 stars in all 88 constellations using its in-built celestial database and GPS technology.

Sky Scout will recommend the twenty best celestial objects to spot on any given day, time and location, and help you locate thousands of stars, with comprehensive text and audio descriptions for the most popular objects.

Simple to use, light and rugged, with a backlit LCD screen displaying comprehensive information, Sky Scout will bring the night skies to life.

The Celestron SkyScout is available from Amazon UK for around £170 delivered (December 2010).
Buy SkyScout from Amazon