celestron telescopes schmidt cassegrain telescope

S GT Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron C9.25-w / XLT Coatings good buy?

I'm in the middle of improved telescopes. Right now I have a Meade ETX-80AT is not As expected. In the near furture I want to do astrophotography with my 35 mm or even a digital SLR camera when you have the money. I made a research extensive in scope that I want and I think that is what I want. Any imput / advice would be awesome!

I use the Celestron 9.25 "SCT w / XLT coatings for DSO astrophotography and have had pretty good results. I initially bought the AS-GT scope / mount package and was blown away with the accuracy only goto. I used a CCD camera SAC7 and found that the saddle was not up to long exposure images unguided. Phase Two, I bought a Canon 300D modified Hutech DSLR and built a side by side mounting bracket for my 9.25 "SCT and Celestron 102mm refractor f / 5. SAC7 I used the camera as a guide and 300D to produce images. Now I could do five minutes exhibitions tours through the SCT and got much better results. The C102 SAC7 and guided it to "guide dog" Software guide. The mountain was still not everything I would have expected. The total weight of the two areas and the camera was about 33 pounds. This was too much weight for the image in the form of vibrations slowed down too slowly, and even a slight wind would ruin a frame. Guiding is also problematic. There are a lot of slack in the gear train, and there are about 50 arc / sec error newspapers, often with sharp bends. Phase Three, While the AS-GT was a lightweight goto mount mount pleasant suitable for visual observation, which lacked the precision required for long-exposure astrophotography. While I can not say enough mounting bracket on the visual, and even when used for astrophotography the short focal length, wide-field image (500 mm or less), is simply not up to snuff for the 2350mm (1480mm or f/6.3) 9.25 "SCT. Therefore, buying a used Losmandy G-11 mount with Gemini goto. This production is WONDERFUL! Pointing the accuracy is spot on, very little backlash and periodic error is less than 15 arc / sec even before the PEC. With this configuration could guide me an exposure always liked. Phase Four, I bought a used SBIG ST8-XE camera images and really started! I am currently the imaging ST8-XE through the 9.25 "SCT on my Losmandy G-11. You can see some of my pictures on my website www.budgetastro.com / web and here http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ ap070405.html Conclusions: Celestron 9.25 "SCT is a very well produced mass SCT. SCT is the only one I know who uses a parabolic primary mirror. Most use a primary spherical and are based on the corrector plate to eliminate spherical aberrations. He does like most of the SCT (but not all) have a primary mirror and moving the focusing mechanism. This is not the best for astrophotography as the mirror will change slightly. This can be alleviated by using a cell back to Crawford as I approach. Also these areas are of two types of aluminum tubing and carbon fiber tube. I have the aluminum tube and suffers from shrinkage due to temperature changes much worse than the model carbon fiber. If you plan on astrophotography is very convenient not having to refocus for every 5 or 6 degrees of temp. change. The AS-GT mount is ideal for visual, but leaves much to be desired in an imaging platform. For the price it is hard to beat, but is really only good for short focal length astrophotography. A fork mounted scope Celestron application despite the higher price of anything better as an imaging platform of the AS-GT mount. This goes for the Meade LX200 series mounts too. The Losmandy G-11, wow, this is a performer! Solid tripod, head Heavey EQ, good payload (65 lbs) and the Gemini goto is great. There is a version lighter called GM-8 is also quite good, but if you are in the hobby for the long term, get the G-11, never regret. The CCD SAC7, not much an imager, but a great guiding. Canon Digital Rebel, good for the brighter DSO (10mag or bright). It has a huge image sensor and a color of fire is easy to process. Has, however, only one of 12 bits of the A / D, and is not too good to narrow band imaging. SBIG ST8-XE, any SBIG camera guided I is a joy to the image. Good sensitivity, TEC cooling to reduce dark noise, CCD seconds for self-direction, which is not love.

Celestron CGEM-800 Telescope Setup

Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope $1,405.95 The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is a state-of-the-art design that allows you to view incredibly detailed celestial bodies. The patented single-fork arm enables smooth operating within the optical tube. With the NexStar 6SE Celestron Telescope, the quality is undeniable and the viewing is spectacular as the Go To buttons capture the object of your choice. With the Celestron NexStar 6SE Telesco…

Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope $1,199.00 The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope offers a multitude of features, including the 2032mm focal length and SkyAlign. Viewing the stars will never be the same, as you expand your horizons with the stimulating and technological advances included in the Celestron Telescope. Inside the Celestron NexStar, you find an autoguider port to enable long exposure photos, as well as the exceptional Go To button…

Celestron T Adapter f/SCTs (Req. T-Ring) $24.75 Celestron T-Adapter for C5, C8, C9-1/4, C11, C14 Celestron Telescopes 93633-A…

Celestron 11079XLT C6-S GT XLT Advanced Series 6in Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope $1,099.00 Introducing the C6-SGT, the newest member of the Celestron Advanced Series family. Unparalleled performance, unbeaten value! The Advanced C6-SGT models come standard with Celestron’s StarBright XLT coatings at no extra cost. Mounted on the Advanced GT Series computerized mount, this telescope has some high performance software and hardware features. Operated by Celestron’s proven NexStar computer …

Orion Apex 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope $229.99 With a tube length of 11 inches, a 90mm (3.5″) precision-polished fully multi-coated meniscus front lens, and solid uncompromising construction. the Apex 90 Compact Mak is a paragon of portability, optical excellence, and durability. Better still, it’s one of the most versatile scopes we offer. The Apex 90 delivers bright, high-contrast images, and with a focal length of 1250mm (f/13.9) you also g…

Celestron 11084 Omni XLT ? 127 $569.95 A premium optical system to explore the universe… The Omni XLT family of telescopes was designed to offer a selection of models with the quality optics and stable platform that serious amateurs can appreciate. The new Omni XLT Series features refractor, reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain optical designs coupled with the new Omni CG-4 heavy-duty German Equatorial mount and sturdy tripod featuring …

Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope : A Guide to Commercial SCTs and Maksutovs (Practical Astronomy.) $8.50 Amateur astronomy is becoming more and more popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes of superb quality – commercially-made Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. Rod Mollise’s book contains everything amateur astronomers need to know about these telescopes….

The 20-cm Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope: A Practical Observing Guide $7.75 The 20-cm (8-in) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is the most popular telescope in the world. This compact instrument revolutionized amateur astronomy and astrophotography, and more than ten thousand are purchased each year. Manly, a devotee and keen user of the Schmidt-Cassegrain, takes the telescope owner, in easy stages, through all aspects of using the telescope. He starts with techniques for view…

Celestron C5, 5 (127mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain XLT Spotting Scope $459.95 Celestron’s C5 Spotting Scope is a 5″ (127mm) aperture, 1250mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system. Its optical excellence is the reason it was chosen by NASA for many space shuttle missions. The C5 spotting scope is an ideal choice for the serious bird watcher, nature lover or anyone who enjoys beautiful views -either from your home or in the field. At just six pounds in weight and 11 inches …

Celestron 11039 C5 Spotting Scope $1,157.95 52291 Features: -Spotting scope.-5” Schmidt-cassegrain optical design.-25 mm (50x) Eyepiece.-Starbright XLT coatings.-45 Erect image diagonal.-6×30 Erect image finderscope.-Water-resistant soft-sided case. Color/Finish: -Color: Black. Dimensions: -Dimensions: 11” H x 15” W x 18” D….