Celestron EdgeHD 8" OTA - CGE Dovetail

See the Universe in HD

EdgeHD is an aplanatic, flat-field Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system designed to deliver sharp, aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view. Its advanced optical design corrects more than just off-axis coma, providing an astrograph-quality flat focal plane that maintains sharp, detailed images all the way to the edge of the field.

True Astrograph Quality

Many telescopes marketed as “astrographs” can produce pinpoint stars only across a curved focal plane. While this may work for visual observation, it can cause stars near the edges of a flat digital camera sensor to appear out of focus. EdgeHD optics address this issue with a focal plane that is more than three times flatter than a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and significantly flatter than other coma-free designs. This advanced optical performance helps produce sharp, well-focused stars across the field, even when using some of the largest CCD sensors available today.

Improved Performance

Superior 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.

Mechanical Features

In addition to EdgeHD’s optimized optical design, the telescope tube has been redesigned to make sure you get the most from your optics each and every night.

• Mirror clutches - Flexible tension clutches hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift when taking long exposure astro-images. Once focused, the flexible rods allow the mirror to be held in place without putting any force or pressure on the mirror assembly, keeping the image centered in the eyepiece (or on the sensor).
• Tube vents - Cooling 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 versatility - EdgeHD 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. Add the optional reducer lens—custom-designed for your size EdgeHD tube—and you can increase your field of view without sacrificing optical performance. A Barlow gives you added power for high-resolution planetary, lunar and solar imaging. All EdgeHD optical tubes are Fastar-compatible, allowing the secondary mirror to be removed and replaced with a third party lens accessory for ultra-fast f/2 wide field imaging.

Individually Tested

Every EdgeHD that ships has been tested not only for the surface quality of each optical component, but also with a camera and artificial star to ensure the imaging system meets our rigid quality assurance. This “final acceptance test” confirms the EdgeHD will perform in the field and deliver high-quality astroimages.

Features

• Experience our best optical performance with EdgeHD’s aplanatic, flat field Schmidt-Cassegrain optics for pinpoint stars all the way to the edge of today’s largest imaging sensors and widest eyepieces.
• Aluminum optical tube with tube vents featuring an integrated 50-mesh filter allows hot air to be released from behind the primary mirror. Mirror support knobs hold the mirror in place and reduce image shift during imaging.
• Versatile design accommodates 3 focal ratios: native f/10, f/7 with the addition of a focal reducer, or ultra-fast f/2 imaging with a removable secondary mirror and third-party accessories.
• Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings provide maximum light transmission.
• A 9x50 finderscope, 1.25” mirror diagonal for more comfortable viewing, and 40 mm Plössl 1.25” eyepiece are all included.