Aurel Lodestar 114 Newtonian reflector, tube with equatorial mount

Specifications

Description

The Lodestar 114 is a Newtonian reflector with a 114 mm parabolic primary mirror and a focal length of 570 mm, which gives a focal ratio of f/5. At that ratio the telescope gives a moderate field of view, wide enough to frame the Andromeda Galaxy and the larger nebulae in Sagittarius at low power. Eyepieces with shorter focal lengths take it to high magnification on the Moon and the brighter planets.

Light from the primary mirror reaches a flat secondary mirror near the front of the tube, which turns it toward the focuser on the side of the tube. Because the optics contain no lenses, the telescope shows no chromatic aberration, so bright planets such as Jupiter and Saturn appear without the color fringe that an achromatic refractor of the same aperture would show. The open tube lets the mirror reach outdoor temperature in about 30 to 45 minutes, and mirror seeing can still affect sharp detail on warm nights. Allow the tube to cool before you judge fine planetary detail.

The 1.25 in dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser accepts standard eyepieces and filters, and the 6x30 finder helps you locate targets before you switch to higher power. The optical tube weighs 5.8 kg, so you can carry it outdoors without a heavy base. A light alt-az mount carries the tube at a comfortable height for seated observing, and the tube length keeps the assembly compact enough for transport in a car.

Typical targets include the Moon, the planets, the Orion Nebula, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the brighter globular clusters such as M13. Under suburban skies the 114 mm aperture shows the cloud bands of Jupiter and the spiral arms of M51 as faint detail. Fainter nebulae and galaxies show more contrast from darker sites, and a nebula filter can improve emission nebulae under light-polluted skies.

About this configuration

Every configuration of the Aurel Lodestar 114 Newtonian reflector shares the same optics; the choices below change how the telescope is mounted, finished, and equipped. The equatorial mount follows the sky along one axis once you align its polar axis with the celestial pole. With the equatorial mount, slow-motion controls let you keep a planet centered at high magnification with one hand. A matte white finish reduces glare from nearby lights while keeping the tube easy to see at night.

Color filters from the planetary kit can bring out surface markings on Mars and the cloud belts of Jupiter. This is the 2025 edition, which updated the knobs and clamps so you can operate them with gloves on cold nights. If you plan to add accessories later, compare the compatibility notes with the parts you already own before choosing a configuration.

What's in the box

• Optical tube assembly with primary mirror
• Flat secondary mirror installed
• 1.25 in 25 mm eyepiece
• 6x30 finder scope with bracket
• Dust cover
• Equatorial mount with steel tripod
• Counterweight and counterweight shaft
• 6 mm planetary eyepiece (1.25 in)
• Four color filters (1.25 in)

Compatibility notes

• Accepts 1.25 in eyepieces, diagonals, and filters directly.
• The optical tube mounts on alt-az mounts that accept a standard tube clamp.