Celestron put together the CGEM II 1100 EdgeHD 11" f/10 SCT GoTo EQ Telescope to provide a complete observational platform that includes a large-aperture Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical tube assembly, the NexStar+ computer hand controller, a powerful and stable motorized equatorial mount and tripod, plus an array of accessories to get you set up and observing the moon, planets, and especially deep-sky subjects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.
Engineered to deliver sharp and clear distortion-free views, the Celestron EdgeHD 11" f/10 Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is an ideal choice for observation, astrophotography, and imaging objects within or beyond our solar system. It features an aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system consisting of a corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror along with a set of field-flattening lenses integrated into the baffle tube. Complementing the EdgeHD system is the proprietary StarBright XLT optical coating system, which improves light transmission and reflectivity across the entire visual spectrum. The combination of EdgeHD and StarBright XLT produces bright and clear high-resolution images with true color rendition across the entire field of view without distortion, aberrations, or off-axis comas.
Optimized for imaging, the internal focusing system features mirror support clutches to ensure proper alignment and mirror locks to avoid accidental defocusing during long-exposure astrophotography. The optical tube is outfitted with an oversized 2" visual back to ensure large imaging sensors are completely covered to avoid vignetting. For visual observations, a 2" star diagonal is included along with a 23mm wide-angle eyepiece that yields a respectable 122x power. A reducer adapter is provided to allow the use of smaller and more common 1.25" eyepieces and accessories. The EdgeHD 11 is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who already have a reliable support system and are looking to upgrade or add to their existing gear, but it comes with a large CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy saddles.
- 11" (280mm) aperture
- f/10 focal ratio
- 2800mm effective focal length
- Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design
- EdgeHD field-flattener aplanatic design eliminates spherical aberration, field curvature, and off-axis star coma to improve resolution, sharpness, and clarity across the entire field of view, especially at the edges
- Diffraction-limited SCHOTT glass reduces internal light loss to improve color, clarity, and sharpness
- StarBright XLT optical coatings
- Flexible tension clutches hold the primary mirror in place to reduce image shift without putting any force or pressure on the mirror assembly, keeping subjects centered
- Internal mirror locks prevent accidental adjustment to focus—important during long-exposure astrophotography
- Integrated 95-micron mesh filter allows hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror without dust getting in, to prevent mirror distortion due to uneven surface temperatures
- Resolution: 0.5 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.42 arcsec (Dawes)
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 3.75" (95 mm); 34% by diameter; 12% by area
- Maximizes light transmission through optical path
- Improves color rendition, contrast, sharpness, resolution, and brightness
- Broadband system provides flat wavelength transmission across the entire visual spectrum
- Multi-layer mirror coatings with layers of aluminum, SiO2 (quartz), and TiO2 (titanium dioxide)
- Multi-layer anti-reflective corrector plate coatings with layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide); hafnium has a wider band-pass than the commonly used titanium
- High-transmission water white glass corrector plate limits light loss due to internal absorption
- OTA only; mount and tripod required for proper use
- Large CGE (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate
- Standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) threads
- 2" eyepiece/accessory holder
- Use for prime focus or projection astrophotography with optional adapters
Eyepiece:
- Luminos-series wide-angle
- 82° field of view
- 2"-diameter barrel
- Accepts most 2" eyepiece filters
- 23mm focal length yields 122x power
- Parfocal with all Luminos eyepieces, allowing it to be changed out with other Luminos eyepieces without having to adjust the focus
- Retractable eyecup for use with or without eyewear
Reducer adapter:
- 2"-to-1.25" reducer adapter allows the use of smaller eyepieces and accessories in visual back or diagonal
Diagonal:
- 90° angle puts head in comfortable viewing position
- Threaded for direct connection to OTA without the need for the visual back
- 2" eyepiece/accessory holder
- Star diagonal corrects image horizontally, but not vertically
Finderscope:
- Low 9x magnification preserves wide field of view to more easily find alignment or guide stars
- Large 50mm aperture helps to see dimmer objects and stars for easier star-hopping navigation
The Celestron CGEM II Tripod has 2" diameter steel legs with graduated markings that make it easy to extend the legs to the same height. It comes with a 17 lb counterweight.
Engineered to bridge the gap between their Advanced VX & heavy-duty CGX-L mounts, the Celestron CGEM II GoTo German Equatorial Mount delivers the performance required for capturing clear images during astrophotography sessions or resolving dim details when observing through an eyepiece. To make it compatible with a wide assortment of optical tube assemblies, Celestron outfitted the CGEM II with a dovetail saddle designed to accept the standard Vixen-style (Celestron's CG-5) and the larger Losmandy (Celestron CGE) dovetail bars.
Through the use of high-torque dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors, optical encoders on the motors, backlash compensation, and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) the mount is capable of precise positioning and tracking accuracy to ensure your target object stays centered while constantly improving its performance the more you use it.
The brain of the system is the NexStar+ computer controller, which is equipped with a database of over 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog; it can also be programmed with up 100 custom user-defined objects with filters to create custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the sky, day and night, fast and easy. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar+ controller an invaluable tool to new users and experienced stargazers alike.
- 40-pound payload capacity
- Uninterrupted tracking below meridian to enable observation from a raised location such as a balcony or hilltop
- Internal cables eliminate snag hazards in the dark or when operating the mount remotely
- Counterweight bar with 17-pound counterweight allows you to properly balance your OTA with accessories and imaging systems
- Dual CG-5 (Vixen) and CGE (Losmandy) dovetail saddle make it compatible with most large and small OTAs on the market
- Dedicated autoguider port for making corrections when astroimaging
- Runs on the included 12V DC power cord
- Dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors
- High-torque motors for helping to smoothly drive heavier loads
- Dual motor encoders improve tracking and location accuracy with reduced vibrations
- Clutch levers for manual movement, levers are longer than normal to make tightening and loosening easier
- 40,000+ object database with filters for creating custom object lists
- 100 user-defined programmable celestial or terrestrial objects
- Enhanced information on over 200 objects
- Nine slew speeds: 4°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 0.3°/sec, 32x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 2x
- Three tracking rates: Sidereal, Solar, Lunar
- Solar System alignment method allows to view the moon and planets during the day
- Built-in polar alignment program to polar align on any star in the sky
- Sky Tour Mode: System seeks out the best objects for the date and time and automatically slews to them
- Identify Mode: Use to identify an unknown object in the field of view, or to find other celestial objects that are close to where the user is viewing
- Anti-backlash compensation: Trains out the intrinsic play between gears for more precise slewing and tracking
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC): System learns its internal tracking errors and improves over time for more precise tracking, requiring fewer corrections
- Built-in instructions guide you through the alignment procedures
- 4-line, 18-character LCD display with a 19-button fiber-optic backlit LED keypad
- RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
- Supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish
- Solar system: Seven planets, moon, sun, and Pluto
- Custom lists of all the brightest stars, double stars, variable stars, and asterisms
- Custom lists of galaxies, nebulae, and clusters, as well as the complete Messier catalog and select NGC objects
Use the Celestron 17 lb Counterweight by itself or with other weights to balance your OTA and accessories on Celestron CG-5, CGEM, CG-4 mounts; or any similar mount with a 0.75" (19mm) center bore hole. A large thumbscrew allows you to lock the weight anywhere along the counterweight shaft to allow for precise balance.