150mm (6") Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube 1500mm Focal Length (f/10) Integrated WiFi for Smartphone and Tablet Control Built-in 10-Hour Lithium-Iron Phosphate Battery Computerized GoTo Mount with 40,000+ Object Database 25 lb (11 kg) Instrument Capacity Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads Warranty Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope The Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope combines a 150mm Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT coatings and a 1500mm focal length for sharp, high-contrast views of celestial objects. Its core innovation is an integrated WiFi network and a built-in lithium-iron phosphate battery, allowing you to control the telescope wirelessly for up to 10 hours using the SkyPortal app and its 40,000+ object database. The robust single fork arm mount handles a 25 lb payload with high-precision DC servo motors, delivering the tracking accuracy needed for both demanding visual observation and entry-level astrophotography. 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics: 1500mm Focal Length with StarBright XLT The 6-inch aperture gathers 459 times more light than the human eye, revealing faint details in distant galaxies and nebulae. With a long 1500mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio, the NexStar Evolution 6 produces high magnification on planets, resolving features like Jupiter's cloud bands and Saturn's rings with the included 115x eyepiece. The optical system achieves a theoretical resolution of 0.77 arc seconds (Dawes), ensuring you can split tight double stars and discern fine crater detail on the Moon. Integrated WiFi and SkyPortal App: GoTo Control from Your Phone Leave the hand control behind and command your telescope with your smartphone or tablet. The NexStar Evolution 6 generates its own wireless network, allowing you to connect directly to the telescope in the field without needing an internet connection. Using Celestron's SkyPortal app, you can align the telescope in minutes with the SkyAlign procedure and navigate the sky with a tap, slewing to any of the over 40,000 objects in the NexStar+ database. 10-Hour Internal Battery: Power for All-Night Observing For the first time in a consumer telescope, a built-in, rechargeable power source comes standard. The NexStar Evolution 6 is equipped with a long-life lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery capable of running the telescope for a full 10-hour observing session. This eliminates the need for external power tanks or dealing with cable wrap. It also includes a USB charge port, allowing you to keep your phone or tablet powered while you explore the universe. Astroimaging-Ready Mount: 25 lb Capacity with Brass Worm Gears The NexStar Evolution 6 is an excellent entry point for astrophotography. It is the only fork-mounted telescope in its class featuring high-precision brass worm gears and improved DC servo motors, which deliver tracking accuracy sufficient for capturing images of bright deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42) with a DSLR camera. The mount's 25 lb instrument load capacity easily handles the 10 lb optical tube along with your camera and accessories, while manual clutches in both axes allow for quick, unpowered adjustments. NexStar Evolution 6 vs. NexStar 6SE: WiFi, Battery, and Mechanics While the Celestron NexStar 6SE is a capable telescope at a lower price point and lighter weight, the NexStar Evolution 6 represents a significant upgrade in functionality and engineering for the modern astronomer. Wireless Control: The Evolution's defining feature is its built-in WiFi, offering seamless GoTo control from a smartphone or tablet—a feature the 6SE lacks entirely. Integrated Power: With its 10-hour internal LiFePO4 battery, the Evolution is a fully self-contained system. The 6SE requires an external power supply or batteries for operation. Superior Mechanics: The Evolution mount is equipped with brass worm gears for improved tracking accuracy, a critical advantage for anyone interested in astrophotography. Ergonomics: The Evolution features a more robust tripod with 1.5" steel legs, manual clutches for easy repositioning, and a total instrument capacity of 25 lbs, more than double that of the 6SE. What can I see with the Celestron NexStar Evolution 6? The 150mm aperture is large enough to show you details in our solar system and beyond. You can expect to see cloud bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and polar ice caps on Mars. For deep-sky objects, it will reveal globular clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13), bright nebulae such as the Orion Nebula (M42), and dozens of galaxies. The included eyepieces provide 38x for wide-field views and 115x for higher-power detail. How does the WiFi on the NexStar Evolution 6 work without an internet connection? The telescope's mount has a built-in WiFi module that creates its own local wireless network, similar to a home router. You simply connect your smartphone or tablet's WiFi directly to the telescope's network ("SkyQLink" or similar). This allows the SkyPortal app to communicate with and control the mount, no internet, cellular, or hotspot connection is required. Is the NexStar Evolution 6 suitable for astrophotography? Yes, it's an excellent starting point. The Alt-Az mount with its improved brass worm gears provides tracking precise enough for planetary and lunar imaging, as well as unguided, short-exposure shots of bright deep-sky objects with a DSLR. For exposures longer than about 30 seconds, you would need to add an optional equatorial wedge to eliminate field rotation. How difficult is it to align the NexStar Evolution 6 telescope? Alignment is made simple with Celestron's SkyAlign technology, which is integrated into the SkyPortal app. You just need to point the telescope to any three bright celestial objects in the sky (you don't even need to know their names). The software calculates its position and orientation, and you're ready to observe in minutes. Can I use the NexStar Evolution 6 without a smartphone or tablet? Absolutely. The telescope comes with the classic Celestron NexStar+ Hand Control. This controller plugs into one of the four available AUX ports on the mount and gives you full access to the 40,000+ object database, alignment procedures, and all telescope functions without needing a smart device. What is the advantage of the LiFePO4 battery in the NexStar Evolution 6? The Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery offers several key advantages. It has a very long lifespan with more charge cycles than typical lithium-ion batteries, it's safer, and it delivers a consistent voltage. Its 10-hour capacity means you can run the telescope, slew at max speed, and even charge your phone via the USB port for an entire night without worrying about power. Optical Tube Specifications Optical Design Schmidt-Cassegrain Aperture 150mm (6") Focal Length 1500mm (59") Focal Ratio f/10 Optical Coatings StarBright XLT Highest Useful Magnification 354x Lowest Useful Magnification 21x Limiting Stellar Magnitude 13.4 Resolution (Rayleigh) 0.93 arc seconds Resolution (Dawes) 0.77 arc seconds Light Gathering Power 459x (Compared to human eye) Secondary Mirror Obstruction 56mm (2.2") / 37% by diameter / 14% by area Optical Tube Length 406mm (16") Optical Tube Weight 10 lbs (4.54 kg) Dovetail CG-5 Dovetail bar Mount Specifications Mount Type Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm Instrument Load Capacity 25 lbs (11 kg) Tripod Stainless Steel, 1.5" Diameter Legs Mount Head Weight 16 lbs (7 kg) Tripod Weight 12 lbs (5.44 kg) Total Kit Weight 38 lbs (17.23 kg) Slew Speeds 9 speeds, up to 4°/second Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar, Lunar Tracking Modes Alt-Az, EQ North, EQ South (EQ modes require a wedge) Alignment Procedures SkyAlign, 1-Star, 2-Star, Auto 2-Star, Solar System Align Database Over 40,000 objects Power Internal 9.6V, 4.5Ah LiFePO4 battery Ports 4x AUX, 1x USB 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube × 1 Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod × 1 NexStar+ Hand Control × 1 40mm Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 13mm Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 Red Dot Finderscope × 1 1.25" Star Diagonal × 1 4 Plug AC Adapter × 1 Accessory Tray × 1 1.25" Visual Back × 1 Download Celestron NexStar Evolution Manual Download NexStar+ Hand Control Manual Download Celestron Software Celestron 2-Year Limited Warranty
