{"title":"Schmidt Cassegrain Optical Tubes","description":"\u003cspan style=\"display: none;\"\u003ehide::live::text\u003c\/span\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"c14-optical-tube-assembly-cge-dovetail","title":"C14 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C14-AF XLT optical tube is a world-class instrument that delivers a level of detail to all your favorite deep sky objects. This observatory-ready instrument the largest in its class with over three times the light gathering power of an 8\" telescope. With this OTA, you can see amazing detail on the surface of Jupiter, resolve details on the surface of Mars, see Cassini's Division in the rings of Saturn, and even the distant planets of Uranus and Neptune.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe C14 packs serious light gathering ability into its durable aluminum optical tube. It’s an ideal instrument for serious astrophotography, providing high-contrast views even at very high magnifications. It is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube offers a focal ratio of f\/11 with the added versatility of Fastar (see below). You can also pair it with the f\/6.3 focal reducer for even more astroimaging options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis flagship OTA can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM-style dovetail bar. It’s sure to take your visual observing and imaging to the next level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFastar Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f\/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f\/11 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about our Fastar technology,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/pages\/fastar-technology\"\u003evisit here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47324290089279,"sku":"91038-XLT","price":2636.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/products\/91038-XLT_CGE_Pro_1400_Fastar_1.jpg?v=1700602424"},{"product_id":"c11-optical-tube-assembly-cge-dovetail","title":"C11 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C11-A packs serious light gathering ability into a rugged aluminum optical tube. At only 24 inches long and weighing just 27.5 pounds, this telescope is still portable enough to be taken to dark skies and set up by a single person. It’s an ideal instrument for serious astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C11 provides excellent, high-contrast views and can perform at very high magnifications. It is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube offers a focal ratio of f\/10 with the added versatility of Fastar (see below). You can also pair it with the f\/6.3 focal reducer for even more astroimaging options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C11-A can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM-style dovetail bar. This flagship optical tube is sure to take your visual observing or imaging to the next level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFastar Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f\/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f\/10 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about our Fastar technology,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/pages\/fastar-technology\"\u003evisit here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47324290646335,"sku":"91036-XLT","price":850.82,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/products\/91036-XLT_CGE_Pro_1100_1.jpg?v=1700602440"},{"product_id":"c9-25-optical-tube-assembly-cge-dovetail","title":"C9.25 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C9.25 is an unusual size with its 9.25” aperture and 2350 mm focal length, but many consider it to be the Goldilocks of optical tubes—not too big, not too small. This rugged aluminum optical tube is only 22 inches long and weighs just 20 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up. But the views are much more impressive than what you’d expect from such a compact instrument. The tube offers a focal ratio of f\/10 with the added versatility of Fastar (see below).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C9.25 can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM-style dovetail bar. This iconic optical tube provides the best balance of portability, handling ease, light gathering ability and price ever offered to the amateur astronomer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFastar Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f\/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f\/10 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about our Fastar technology,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/pages\/fastar-technology\"\u003evisit here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47324291137855,"sku":"91027-XLT","price":563.13,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/products\/91027-XLT_CGE_PRO_925_1.jpg?v=1700602457"},{"product_id":"c8-optical-tube-assembly-cge-dovetail","title":"C8 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C8-A is the direct (but much improved) descendent of Celestron’s revolutionary C8 that transformed the hobby of astronomy when it was unveiled in 1970. This rugged aluminum optical tube is only 17 inches long and weighs just 13 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up. But the views are much more impressive than what you’d expect from such a compact instrument. The tube offers 2032 mm of focal length and a focal ratio of f\/10, with the added versatility of Fastar (see below).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C8-A can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM style dovetail bar. This iconic optical tube provides the best balance of portability, handling ease, light gathering ability and price ever offered to the amateur astronomer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFastar Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f\/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f\/10 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about our Fastar technology,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/pages\/fastar-technology\"\u003evisit here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47324291957055,"sku":"91024-XLT","price":407.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/products\/91024-XLT-SCT_8in_Optical_Tube_01_760x760_a4ed4678-6966-43aa-9143-a7cad75e3420.jpg?v=1700602475"},{"product_id":"c6-optical-tube-assembly-cg-5-dovetail","title":"C6 Optical Tube Assembly (CG-5 Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C6-A OTA is a great multi-use optical tube with a 1500 mm focal length and a focal ratio of f\/10. It offers 40% more light gathering than a 5” Cassegrain telescope. The Celestron C6-A features Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C6-A can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CG-5 dovetail bar. But it also works well when mounted on a basic manual altazimuth mount for night sky viewing or as a terrestrial spotting scope during the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C6-A has the best balance of portability, handling ease, light gathering ability and price ever offered to the amateur astronomer. It is an advanced level instrument that is as easy to use as any intermediate level—and most entry level—telescopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47324292088127,"sku":"91010-XLT","price":271.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/products\/91010-XLT_XLT_6_SCT_1.jpg?v=1700602482"},{"product_id":"cosmetic-c14-optical-tube-assembly-cge-dovetail","title":"Cosmetic - C14 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOSMETIC ITEM: Celestron takes great pride in our quality control, not only with optical and mechanical performance, but also with the cosmetic appearance of our products.  Our quality assurance team will periodically identify minor cosmetic issues and, due to our high quality tolerances, will determine the product cannot be sold as new.  In these cases, Celestron may choose to offer the product at a significant discount as a “cosmetic” unit. Any cosmetic flaws in the telescope will be minor in nature, and will have zero affect on mechanical or optical performance.  All cosmetic units undergo the same rigorous testing and promise the high performance you would expect from Celestron.  Minor aesthetic imperfections such as external scratches, paint discolorations, metal casting imperfections and other minor flaws may exist, but nothing that would degrade the optical or mechanical performance of the telescope.  \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; mso-ligatures: standardcontextual; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003eAnd just like all Celestron telescopes, it includes our full two year warranty with unlimited support from Celestron in Torrance, California.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celestron C14-AF XLT optical tube is a world-class instrument that delivers a level of detail to all your favorite deep sky objects. This observatory-ready instrument the largest in its class with over three times the light gathering power of an 8\" telescope. With this OTA, you can see amazing detail on the surface of Jupiter, resolve details on the surface of Mars, see Cassini's Division in the rings of Saturn, and even the distant planets of Uranus and Neptune.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe C14 packs serious light gathering ability into its durable aluminum optical tube. It’s an ideal instrument for serious astrophotography, providing high-contrast views even at very high magnifications. It is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube offers a focal ratio of f\/11 with the added versatility of Fastar (see below). You can also pair it with the f\/6.3 focal reducer for even more astroimaging options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis flagship OTA can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM-style dovetail bar. It’s sure to take your visual observing and imaging to the next level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFastar Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f\/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f\/11 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about our Fastar technology,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.celestron.com\/pages\/fastar-technology\"\u003evisit here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarBright XLT coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.celestron.com\/university\/astronomy\/starbright-xlt-optical-coating-system\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49788157657407,"sku":"91038-XLT-C","price":2351.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/files\/91038-XLT_CGE_Pro_1400_Fastar_1.jpg?v=1727299456"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/9840\/0063\/collections\/XLT-OTAs_Category_page_1200x310_c8a8928d-b997-48fc-9f95-518b9eb3a02e.jpg?v=1700611528","url":"https:\/\/employee-store.celestron.com\/collections\/schmidt-cassegrain-optical-tubes.oembed","provider":"Celestron Employee Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}