Celestron Origin Mark II – Intelligent Home Observatory

• The modern way to observe the stars and astrophotograph: The Celestron Origin is a smart telescope that captures stunning images of faint deep-sky objects at the touch of a button and transfers them to your smartphone or tablet. The images, captured in seconds, look better than what you would see with the naked eye through the eyepiece of a much larger telescope under a much darker sky.
  
  Revolutionary RASA optics: Featuring the patented 6-inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA), the Origin is a smart telescope unlike any other. With its large aperture and fast f/2.2 focal ratio, it produces photos with far greater detail and in shorter exposure times than ever before.
  
  Next-Generation 678C Camera: Equipped with Sony's latest Starvis-2 color CMOS technology, the Origin 678C offers higher resolution, improved sensitivity, and a noticeable leap in image quality compared to the first-generation Celestron Origin – Intelligent Home Observatory (#821880, €5299) with the IMX178C sensor.
  
  EAA – AI-Powered Electronically Aided Astronomy: As the Origin captures data, built-in AI algorithms autonomously stack and process each image in real time. Galaxies and nebulae instantly come to life – sharp, detailed, and in brilliant color – without any user intervention.
  
  Automated Setup with StarSense: Set up the Origin outdoors under the open sky, turn it on, and connect it to the app. Using Celestron's patented StarSense technology, the telescope scans the sky and focuses automatically. In less than two minutes, you'll be ready to select a target and begin capturing images.
  
  Intuitive App Interface: The user-friendly Celestron Origin app for iOS and Android, developed in partnership with Simulation Curriculum, the creators of SkySafari™, offers an intuitive and powerful planetarium interface that makes it easy to navigate the sky and control the system.
  
  Share Images with Everyone: Multiple users can simultaneously view the telescope's live feed via the Origin app. You can also cast the view to your smart TV or instantly save and share it.
  
  Advanced Astrophotography: If you want to process the images yourself, simply download your raw image files to a USB drive. You can also experiment with nebula filters, such as the Nebula Filter for Origin Intelligent Home Observatory (#820623, €339), or use the Origin for daytime terrestrial observations. An autoguider and equatorial wedge for longer exposures are available separately.
  
  Celestron Origin Mark II Intelligent Home Observatory
  
  The next generation of smart telescopes – now equipped with the Celestron Origin 678C camera
   

The Celestron Origin Mark II ushers in a new era in amateur astronomy, combining stargazing and astrophotography into a single, user-friendly experience. EAA (Electronically Aided/Assisted Astronomy) integrates advanced camera technology with live sky observation. This smart telescope handles the complex technology of modern telescopes for you, transforming your backyard into a gateway to the cosmos. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and intuitive controls, the Celestron Origin captures the beauty of celestial objects and wirelessly transmits them to your tablet, smartphone, or even a TV screen.

Celestron engineers poured their decades of experience into every technical detail, from the patented optics to the intuitive control app. The result is a revolutionary, completely redesigned system that builds on Celestron's long-standing heritage and expertise, making astronomy more accessible, exciting, and enjoyable than ever before.

RASA Optical Technology

At the heart of the Celestron Origin Mark II is the patented Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) – a milestone in optical development. In the RASA design, the image sensor is located at the front of the telescope instead of the rear, resulting in an extremely fast f/2.2 system with an exceptionally wide field of view and edge-to-edge sharpness. Since its introduction in 2014, RASA technology has become the first choice for space surveillance and satellite tracking. Companies, researchers, and governments rely on RASA telescopes to, for example, scan the skies for dangerous, tiny pieces of satellite debris that could destroy our vital communications satellites. For the Origin, Celestron engineers developed a RASA 6 – Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (#822255, €1999) that offers all the capabilities of an observatory-grade instrument in a portable package.

Thanks to its RASA optics, the Origin Mark II is in a class of its own among smart telescopes, far surpassing other telescope designs. A RASA gathers more photons in less time than a smaller and slower Newtonian reflector, refractor, or other entry-level telescope. The unique combination of fast image acquisition, aperture, and therefore detail resolution defines the RASA's performance. In short, it delivers unparalleled detail in photos, even with short exposure times.

Now equipped with the Celestron Origin 678C camera

The Celestron Origin Mark II is now equipped with the new Celestron Origin 678C camera (various versions available) – a next-generation upgrade featuring Sony's latest Starvis-2 CMOS technology. With 8.4 megapixels, ultra-fine 2.0 μm pixels, and a modern 16:9 aspect ratio, this sensor delivers higher resolution and improved sensitivity.

Perfectly matched to the Origin's fast f/2.2 RASA optics, the 678C camera captures the finest structures in galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced astrophotographer, you'll enjoy razor-sharp, noise-free results that can be stacked, shared, or admired in near real-time.
 

Note for first-generation owners

Owners of a Celestron Origin – Intelligent Home Observatory (#821880, €5299) with the original Sony IMX178 color CMOS sensor can now upgrade to the new Celestron Origin 678C camera (various versions available). The Celestron Origin 678C camera offers significantly improved image quality, higher sensitivity, and finer detail – just like the new Origin Mark II. The upgrade is designed for self-installation and can be ordered on this page.

Upgrading to the Origin 678C camera doesn't mean your original camera has to go unused. The Origin 678C camera can be used with other telescopes and guide scopes. Thanks to its standard T-2 thread, it can be easily mounted on most optical systems. It is ideal for planetary or lunar photography, as well as for use as a guiding camera on an off-axis guider or guide scope.

As a special offer for all end users who purchase the upgraded camera from us, we include a free Baader adapter upon request: #2458105, 1¼" barrel to T-2a – classic with keyway. With the adapter we provide, you can adapt your existing Origin camera to any 1.25" eyepiece connection.

Now everyone can become a true astrophotographer!

The Celestron Origin Mark II, with its built-in AI algorithms, represents a paradigm shift in sophisticated astrophotography. While the telescope acquires data, these intelligent algorithms automatically stack and process each image in real time. The result is a breathtaking rendering of celestial objects, in color and with a level of detail usually only seen in images from experienced astrophotographers. For the first time, astrophotography is accessible to enthusiasts of all experience levels, including those who have never used a telescope before.

A Universe in Your Hands: StarSense Technology & the Origin App

Setting up the Celestron Origin Mark II is incredibly easy thanks to the automated initialization process powered by StarSense technology. Simply place the Origin under a clear, starry sky, turn it on, and connect it to the app. Then, you can decide whether to stay by your telescope or head indoors. In less than two minutes, Origin will focus itself, scan the night sky, orient itself by comparing star patterns to its internal database, and notify you that it's ready to use.

Developed in collaboration with Simulation Curriculum, the creators of SkySafari™, the Celestron Origin app offers an intuitive planetarium interface that simplifies navigating the night sky. Use the planetarium view, point your device at the sky, look around in "compass mode," and then simply tap on each object you want to see (the most beautiful ones are highlighted). Or try the "Tonight's Best" list, where Origin displays all the most impressive galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and more—based on your exact location and time of observation. Never again will you need to consult a star atlas or plan ahead; Origin is ready to show you the universe, even if you're unexpectedly surprised by clear skies.

Once you've selected a target, the Origin precisely centers it in the field of view. Switch to camera view and press "Start Imaging" to begin capturing 10-second exposures. It couldn't be simpler! You'll see in real time as the stacked photos reveal more and more detail. While the Origin is working, it continuously tracks the sky and adjusts its built-in dew control system and fans to the ambient conditions, ensuring the optics are at optimal temperature for razor-sharp images.

A Shared Cosmic Experience

With the Origin, no one has to wait their turn to look through an eyepiece. Whether your friends and family are gathered in the same room or outdoors, multiple people can connect to the Origin and view the live image on their own devices. The Origin also allows you to stream the live feed to your smart TV or instantly save and share your astrophotographs, creating unforgettable moments that extend beyond your observing site.

Ready for more? Advanced Features

As your interest in the hobby grows, you can take advantage of more advanced features and capabilities. For example, the Origin has a built-in filter drawer that accepts standard 1.25" and 2" filters. This allows you to optionally install astronomical filters, which are especially useful when photographing nebulae in light-polluted environments, such as typical suburban backyards. For imaging broadband objects like galaxies and star clusters, or objects under dark skies, remove the filter for greater light transmission and brighter images. Experiment with different and interchangeable filters to achieve results you can't reach with the fixed filters of other systems.

If you want to try advanced image processing, that's possible too. Unlike other systems, the Origin saves all your raw images for you. Connect via USB to import them into your favorite image editing software for manual adjustments and stacking.

And how about letting the Origin work for you while you sleep? That's no problem with the scheduled observation feature. Simply tell the app which objects you want to capture. You'll wake up to spectacular images.

A telescope for day and night

Besides astronomical objects, the Origin can also photograph terrestrial objects, day and night. During the day, you can manually pan the telescope to capture landscapes and scenery. At night, the Origin's sensitive camera allows you to see objects in very low-light conditions, almost like a night-vision camera. Look around your backyard at night, discover nocturnal animals, and more that you might otherwise miss!

Take your astrophotography studio anywhere

The Celestron Origin Mark II is a portable system that doesn't require external Wi-Fi networks, so you can easily take it with you in any car to distant dark skies. The optical tube, mount, and tripod are all easy to assemble and disassemble without tools. Each component weighs less than 7 kg. The padded carrying case for the Origin Intelligent Home Observatory (#821085, €259) is also available as an option.

Your Origin system comes complete with everything you need to get started right away:

6-inch RASA optics with integrated camera
Origin single-arm fork mount with internal lithium battery
Celetron CMOS color camera with Sony IMX678-AAQR1 sensor (back-illuminated / 2.0μm x 2.0μm pixel size)
Integrated computer and Wi-Fi
Two built-in fans (one for the optics, one for the computer) prevent heat from building up in the electronics or entering the optical tube and obstructing the view.

Autofocuser
Dew protection heater with environmental sensor, heating ring, and dew shield
Integrated filter drawer
Tripod
Dust cap
230V charger