Students see new possibilities with wifi telescopes

Judd Zaspel

Brand new and first of its kind telescope marketed for anyone who wants to learn about astronomy. The Celestron Cosmos 90 GT uses a Wi-Fi connection with a smartphone to do all of the work for the user. The first ever made available for purchase, it costs $400 for the telescope. The telescope has two eyepieces, a StarPointer finderscope, a Cosmic Calendar poster and a tripod with accessory tray for holding your smartphone or tablet.

Junior Nelson Weaver said, “I think the school should buy these, and use them to see and learn more in astronomy.” He added, “I think the telescope is cool and has sweet features, but its too expensive for me.”

To align the telescope, users point it at any three bright objects in the sky. The scope then uses the finderscope to triangulate its precise location. On the user’s smartphone, they download an app compatible with the telescope. Through the app, users then select the area they want to see from Celestron’s database. Motors in the base position then scope in seconds.

Junior Connor Anderson said, “The school should definitely consider purchasing a few of these telescopes for astronomy class.”

Check out craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, the Hercules Globular Cluster and more. Using the included planetarium app, it might even show a few things people never knew existed. There is no easier way to explore space.

“It would let students see more than they normally would, I used one with my brother, the telescope is very easy to work and is very cool,” said junior Brennan Rosell.

The telescope is easy to use, has many incredible features and is available for anyone to purchase. Although the telescope is quite expensive, users have found great joy and entertainment in it.