Celestron Origin redefines stargazing and astroimaging for a new generation. The images you capture with Origin look better than what you’d see in a much larger telescope under much darker skies.
The Celestron Origin Powered by the SkySafari™ app, developed in partnership with Simulation Curriculum, features a user-friendly planetarium interface that makes it easy to navigate the sky and control the system. Simply hold your device up to the sky using Compass mode and tap on any object you want to see. (The best ones are highlighted.) Or try the Tonight’s Best list, which displays all the most impressive celestial objects you can see right now.
Once you’ve selected a target, Origin locates it and begins capturing data. With each exposure, built-in AI algorithms autonomously stack and process every frame in real time. Galaxies and nebulae spring to life—sharp, detailed, and in brilliant color—all with no user intervention.
Gone are the days of waiting in line to peer into a telescope’s eyepiece. Multiple people can connect to Origin via the app and stream the view with their own devices. With Origin, you can cast the live feed to your smart TV and save and share your completed astroimages.
ORIGIN’S KEY FEATURES
+ Planetarium Functionality +
In the app’s Planetarium View, navigate the sky by swiping or pinching the screen. For a more interactive experience, tap the compass icon to enter Compass mode, which uses your smartphone’s accelerometer and gyro to match the onscreen view to the sky overhead.
+ Selecting an Object +
In the Planetarium View, objects highlighted with orange circles are the best targets. Tap an object to select it and display its name. Zoom in to find fainter objects. To point Origin to your chosen object, tap the crosshairs icon or use the “Center Object” option in the Object Info bar.
Use the Tonight icon to see a list of the best currently visible objects. You can also search for objects by name or designation with the Search icon.
+ Picture-in-Picture (PIP) +
A Picture-in-Picture (PIP) in the lower-left corner of the Planetarium View shows a live feed from Origin’s camera. Tapping the PIP screen shows the full Camera View, which displays the same view but fills the entire screen.
+ Camera View +
The Camera View displays a live feed from Origin’s camera. Here, you can start imaging sessions or adjust camera settings. Origin automatically stacks and processes each exposure using its built-in AI algorithms. This processing doesn’t add new data to your image but rather brings out the best in your data and reduces noise. When you’re finished, tap “End Imaging” to save the final stacked master to the Image Gallery and your device’s camera roll.
+ Object Info View +
You can view detailed information on every object in the Origin app’s database by pressing the Info button. You can also listen to audio presentations for over 200 of the most popular celestial objects.
+ Image Gallery +
After you complete an image, Origin stores it in the app’s Image Gallery and your device’s camera roll. You can access the Image Gallery anytime by tapping the Gallery button.
+ Sharing Images +
After tapping the Share button, you can customize your image by adjusting settings like exposure, name, date, object, logo, and crop. When you’re ready to share, press the Share icon to share via various apps or directly to social media.
+ Scheduled Imaging +
Origin can capture images automatically during a scheduled imaging session without any input from you (even while you sleep!). Simply add the desired objects to a schedule and tap “Run Schedule Now.” Origin will start with the first object and continue through your list. To retrieve images, select the completed schedule and download the images to your Image Gallery and your device’s camera roll.
Device requirements:
iOS 16 and up iPhone 8 and up
Great telescope - app needs time-planning feature for real-world use
abrower
The Celestron Origin itself is fantastic — setup, alignment, and imaging all work beautifully. The app, however, really needs a time-shift or sky-simulation feature. Right now, the Sky View only shows what’s visible at the current time, so you can’t plan your imaging schedule ahead during daylight hours.For many of us with partial sky views (trees, buildings, etc.), planning is essential — I need to know wh Great telescope — app needs time-planning feature for real-world use ich objects will rise into my visible area later tonight so I can build a schedule that actually runs without constant failures.Most astronomy apps (like SkySafari or Stellarium) allow you to fast-forward time and see what will be up later. Adding this to the Celestron Origin app would make it far easier to plan productive sessions.The orange highlighting for good targets is a great touch — please keep that, but let us preview it for any time of night, not just the current moment.Otherwise, this system has huge potential. The scope gets a 5; the app just needs a bit more planning flexibility to match.
Wow.
Andhan1
I have been using the Seestar S50 for over a year now and previously I owned a Dwarf 2 as well. The Origin is next level. A huge step up. Stunningly clear images. The scope gets a “5”. The app still needs work, same as both the Seestar and the Dwarf apps when they came out. I am looking forward to V2.0.
Impressed again and again!
Origin 5 Stars!
I was one of the first to receive the Origin in July 2024 (I’ve owned it for 5 months now). I put it to the test by attending the Nebraska Star Party just 3 days after receiving it - observing all night long for 5 straight nights. It impressed me and everyone that came to see it. I volunteer at an Observatory and it’s the first telescope that is up and running and it quickly moves from object to object for guests to enjoy. I also use it several times each week from my backyard. There are a few glitches in the software that I’m optimistic will get ironed out. I’d also like to see a mosaic mode so larger objects can be viewed.
MacOS support?
RAMReally
I am a little confused, this app says it is not verified for MacOS use but the latest update states improved MacOS support.
- Dithering functionality support
- 1s and 5s exposure options added to Tonight's Imaging Schedule
- Origin camera model displayed on Origin Status page
- Other improvements and bug fixes
Version 1.1.4
The developer, Celestron, LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Celestron, LLC.
Size
1 GB
Category
Photo & Video
Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.6 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 18.6 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 18.6 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 14.0.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
