Celestron CGEM II 11-Inch EdgeHD Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Celestron CGEM II 11-Inch EdgeHD Telescope combines Celestron's CGEM II computerized equatorial mount with its acclaimed EdgeHD optical system. With an optical tube assembly weighing only 28 lb. This telescope is portable enough to be taken to dark skies, and has 89% more light gathering power than an 8-Inch telescope and 40% more than the 9.25-Inch.Celestron CGEM II 11-Inch Optical TubeEdgeHD is an aplanatic, flat field Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that produces aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view. The optical system is designed to reduce more than just off-axis star coma; it also provides an astrograph-quality flat focal plane all the way to the edge of the field of view.True Astrograph QualityMany optical designs that advertise themselves as astrographs actually only produce pinpoint stars across a curved focal plane. While this may be acceptable for some visual observing, stars will appear out of focus at the edge when used with the flat chip sensor of a digital camera. EdgeHD optics produce a focal plane more than three-times flatter than a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and dramatically flatter than competing coma-free designs. This guarantees you visibly sharp stars across some of the largest CCD chips available today.Improved PerformanceSuperior edge performance not only creates rounder, more pleasing stars, but actually improves the resolution and limiting magnitude when compared to telescopes of equal aperture. With Celestron’s StarBright XLT optical coatings on every surface, EdgeHD optics gives you maximum light throughput across the widest visual and photographic spectrum.Mirror clutchesFlexible tension clutches hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift when taking long exposure astro-images.Tube ventsCooling vents located on the rear cell allow hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror. Each vent has an integrated 50-mesh filter guaranteed to let warm air out without letting dust in.Fastar versatilityEdgeHD is the most versatile imaging telescope available today. At its native f/10, you can achieve the image scale necessary to capture the smallest of deep sky objects.Celestron CGEM MountA fresh update to the venerable CGEM mount, the CGEM II has a fresh, attractive, bold appearance and is capable of carrying Celestron’s higher-end SCT optical tubes (up to 11-Inch) securely and vibration free, which is ideal for both imaging and visual observing. Capable of holding 40 lb. of payload and slewing at 5 degree per second, you will be able to instantly point to any of the celestial objects in the database.Ergonomic DesignCGEM II is designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy polar alignment adjustment. The internal RA and DEC motor wiring provides a clean look and an easy and trouble free set up.InnovationThe CGEM II series features Celestron’s innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star. All-Star allows users to choose any bright star, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another great feature of the CGEM II sure to please astroimagers, is the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) which will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings.PerformanceFor objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM II will track well past the Meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky. The CGEM II mount has a robust database with over 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects. Celestron's CGEM II mount is the perfect fit between the Advanced Series and CGE Series..