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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.
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
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.
Striking a comfortable balance between power and portability, the Celestron C8-A-XLT CGE 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is an ideal choice for observing objects within or beyond our solar system. It features a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system consisting of a corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror that work together to reduce spherical and chromatic aberrations. These corrections result in crisp and clear high-resolution images with accurate color representation, without distortion—especially at the edges. Complementing the optical system is the proprietary StarBright XLT optical coating system, which improves light transmission and reflectivity across the entire visual spectrum.
The optical tube is outfitted with a standard 1.25" visual back to make it easier to find eyepieces, accessories, and imaging gear. For visual observations, a 1.25" star diagonal is included along with a 25mm eyepiece that yields 81x magnification. The C8-A-XLT 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 comes with a larger CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy-style saddles.
- 8" (203mm) aperture
- f/10 focal ratio
- 2032mm effective focal length
- Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric optical design
- StarBright XLT optical coatings
- Resolution: 0.69 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.57 arcsec (Dawes)
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 2.5" (69mm); 31% by diameter; 9.77% 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
- optical tube assembly (OTA) only; mount and tripod required for proper use
- CGE (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate for compatible saddles
- OTA weight: 12.5 pounds
- Visual back:
- Standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope threads
- 1.25" eyepiece/accessory holder
- Use for prime focus or projection astrophotography with optional adapters
- Eyepiece:
- 1.25"-diameter barrel
- Accepts most 1.25" eyepiece filters
- 25mm focal length yields 81x power
- Diagonal:
- 90° angle puts head in comfortable viewing position
- Threaded for direct connection to OTA without the need for the visual back
- 1.25" snout and eyepiece/accessory holder
- Star diagonal corrects image horizontally, but not vertically
- Finderscope:
- Low 6x magnification preserves wide field of view to more easily find alignment or guide stars
- 30mm aperture helps to see dimmer objects and stars for easier alignment and star-hopping navigation