Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Computerized Telescope

Big 9.25-inch aperture on a WiFi mount with a built-in battery

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 puts Celestron's 9.25-inch (235mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain, a favorite of planetary observers, on the Evolution computerized mount and a heavy-duty tripod with 2-inch steel legs. Control it from your phone or tablet over built-in WiFi, observe for about 10 hours on the built-in rechargeable battery, and point it by hand anytime with manual clutches on both axes.

Why choose the NexStar Evolution 9.25

• More aperture: about 34% more light than an 8-inch, for sharper planetary detail and brighter galaxies.
• No batteries or power cords in the field: the built-in lithium battery runs about 10 hours, and a USB port charges your phone.
• WiFi control: find and track objects with the free SkyPortal app, or use the included NexStar+ hand control.
• Heavy-duty tripod: 2-inch stainless steel legs for a steady view at high power.

What you'll see

• The Moon: fine rilles, small craterlets and mountain shadows.
• Planets: festoons in Jupiter's cloud belts and the Great Red Spot, the Cassini Division and cloud bands on Saturn, and surface markings on Mars when it's close to Earth.
• Deep sky: globular clusters resolved to their cores, the Ring and Dumbbell Nebulae, and spiral structure in bright galaxies from a dark site.

What to add for the best views

The Evolution 9.25 comes with 40mm (59x) and 13mm (180x) eyepieces. At 180x, the 13mm is at the top of what typical nights support, so the most useful upgrades are slightly lower powers with a wider, more comfortable view.

• Everyday high power: the Tele Vue 15mm DeLite (157x) and Tele Vue 16mm Nagler Type 5 (147x) are superb planetary and deep-sky eyepieces, and the Celestron X-Cel LX 18mm (131x) is a great value.
• For eyeglass wearers: the Tele Vue 18.2mm DeLite (129x) has 20mm of eye relief.
• Widest views: the Tele Vue 24mm Panoptic gives 98x with the widest field a 1.25-inch eyepiece can show.

• A Moon filter: a variable polarizing filter dims the bright Moon to a comfortable level and brings out surface detail.
• Dew shield: the front corrector plate dews up on humid nights. The Celestron Dew Shield DX for 9.25"–11" SCTs keeps it clear longer, and its cutout fits around the dovetail.
• A case: the Celestron Deluxe Case for 8"–11" SCTs protects the telescope in storage and on the road, with wheels and a pull-out handle.
• Automatic alignment: the StarSense AutoAlign V2 aligns the telescope for you automatically in a few minutes.

Compare the NexStar Evolution telescopes

Already have a mount? The Celestron C9.25 optical tube is the same optics on its own. Our Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope guide compares every size, from 5" to 11".

What's in the box

• 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT coatings
• NexStar Evolution single fork arm mount with built-in WiFi and rechargeable battery
• Heavy-duty stainless steel tripod with accessory tray
• NexStar+ hand control
• 40mm and 13mm eyepieces (59x and 180x)
• 1.25" star diagonal and visual back
• Red-dot finderscope
• AC adapter

NexStar Evolution 9.25 FAQ

Is the NexStar Evolution 9.25 too big for a beginner?

It's easy to use, but it's heavy: the tube weighs 20 lbs and the tripod 26.6 lbs, so plan on two or three trips to set up. If you want to carry everything in one trip, consider the Evolution 8.

Evolution 9.25 or Evolution 8?

The 9.25 gathers about 34% more light and its optics are especially well regarded for planets. The Evolution 8 is much lighter (40.5 lbs vs. 62.6 lbs for the kit) and quicker to set up.

What eyepiece upgrades do you recommend?

The included 13mm gives 180x, which is best on steady nights. For everyday planetary viewing, try the Tele Vue 15mm DeLite (157x), Tele Vue 16mm Nagler Type 5 (147x) or Celestron X-Cel LX 18mm (131x). For the widest views, add the Tele Vue 24mm Panoptic.

How long does the battery last?

About 10 hours on a full charge. Recharge it with the included AC adapter. A USB port on the mount can also charge your phone or tablet.

Can I do astrophotography with the Evolution 9.25?

Yes. It excels at planetary imaging with a planetary camera, and it's Fastar compatible for fast wide-field imaging with a HyperStar lens. Longer deep-sky exposures need the Celestron Wedge for NexStar Evolution/SE to cancel field rotation.

Specifications