Celestron Origin Smart Telescope Review 2025: 12 Months of Astrophotography

My first 12 months with the Celestron OriginIn November 2024 I finally got my Origin after a 12-month wait. Was the expense worth it? You will see from my review of 12 months use that it was very much worth it, and it has fulfilled all the reasons that I had for the purchase. They are as follows:A. Being almost 80, and what may be called a backyard astronomer, I was anxious to see as much of the universe that was possible and to record those viewings. With problems standing in one place for long periods and my dominant viewing eye not being capable of full focus, my standard eyepiece tripod mounted telescope was no longer suitable. The specifications of the Origin seemed to be the answer. It meant no standing around, no eyepiece to overcome, did its own image processing and saved them to my iPad.It has achieved all these needs with flying colours. I can easily carry and set it up without any difficulty and within minutes it can be up and running. It is just as easy to put away after a session. It is fitted with all the equipment one needs, meaning to transport to other locations it is simply a matter of folding one’s tripod and putting the scope tube into its special bag. (a must-have accessory). I always use the mini tripod as this enables me to keep the telescope on it and easier to carry and just put on a table I use in the garden. The only time I am needed to be with it is to take off the camera cover, point to the sky, turn on and to ensure the appropriate filter is fitted. (in my case just the standard and nebula filters) I can then either sit alongside or go into the house, log on and send it to wherever I wish and leave it to image as long as necessary and seeing the image develop (obviously keeping an eye on the battery level especially in cold weather)B. So, having achieved my objective in relation to my health limitations, what about its performance? Most of my viewing takes place in my rear garden in an area classed as Bootle 5 (Liverpool, UK) and surrounded by property and trees, meaning that my viewing areas are restricted in height from the horizon. The first images I achieved were of the Dumbbell and Orion nebulas (without filter as I didn't have one at that time) They were unbelievable just after a few minutes of imaging. My family and ultimately neighbours have had the same experience. The same applied to stars, galaxies, and even planets and moons (albeit these must use snapshot mode and such did not show the detail as they are single…