The StarSense AutoAlign for SkyWatcher Mounts also works with Celestron goto systems, StarSense technology was developed by Celestron’s engineers, allowing a Celestron computerized telescope to automatically align itself with the night sky. It’s never been easier to locate celestial objects. Now, this technology can be connected to a computerized SkyWatcher synscan mount with the included Interface Box, further expanding the number of scopes that can take advantage of StarSense’s revolutionary auto alignment!

Please note StarSense Autoalign for SkyWatcher Mounts works with Celestron and SkyWatcher Goto telescopes and mounts, the interface box is included for use on SkyWatcher models and is not used on Celestron models.

Automatically align a Celestron or SkyWatcher mount with StarSense
No need to identify or locate any star in the sky StarSense will automatically align your telescope, so you can begin observing in minutes. Plug and play compatibility

Celestron Compatability
NexStar SE Series
CPC, CPC DX
NexStar GT (with Aux. splitter)
CGE Pro
Advanced VX
CG-5 (with Aux. splitter)
CGEM, CGEM DX, CGEMII
CGE
CGX, CGX-L
NexStar SLT
NexStar Evolution
LCM (with Aux. splitter)

SkyWatcher Compatability
HEQ5
EQ6 / EQ6R
AZ-EQ5
AZ-EQ6
CQ350
EQ8
AZ SynScan compatible mounts

Included Items
StarSense Hand Control
StarSense Camera with large and small mounting brackets
Cable, camera to mount
Interface Box (for SkyWatcher)

The post StarSense Autoalign for SkyWatcher Mounts appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

• The Celestron Focus Motor for SCT enables electronic focusing using a computer or Celestron computerized mount hand controller for remote/hands-free observing.
• Self-powering: When connected to a Celestron computerized mount, the mount provides the power. When connected directly to a computer, USB provides the power.
• Compatible with a wide variety of Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain, EdgeHD, and Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph optical tubes. Check description for full list.
• Motor controls include multiple speed rates, automatic GoTo indexed focuser position, and focuser backlash compensation.
• Focuser Utility software for Windows provides a simple user interface. Also compatible with Celestron PWI.
• Enables autofocusing with a camera and third-party software via ASCOM.
• Indexed focus position allows the motor to automatically return to a previous focus position and prevents the focus motor from reaching the end of telescope’s mechanical focus travel.
• Now compatible with the 9.25” EdgeHD.

The Focus Motor provides electronic focusing for Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT), EdgeHD, and RASA telescope optical tubes. With the focus motor installed, you can bring celestial objects into sharp, precise focus using your telescope’s hand controller or a computer instead of using the focuser knob. A focus motor is great for visual observers who want to dial in exact focus (especially those with dexterity issues) and a must-have accessory for astroimagers. With a motorized focuser installed, an astroimager no longer needs to be physically near the telescope to focus an image. Combined with computerized control of the mount and camera, the focus motor enables the imager to gather data remotely from a backyard observatory, or even a telescope located hundreds of miles away. As an added bonus, port covers protect the ports while not in use, and the covers cannot be lost due to the tethered design.

Compatible Optical Tubes

The focus motor is compatible with all SCTs from 6” to 14” in aperture that have been produced since the year 2006. It is not compatible with 5” SCTs or older models. It is compatible with the 8” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA),  the 36cm RASA, the 7” Maksutov-Cassegrain, and all the EdgeHD optical tubes. The RASA 11 (91075) is compatible with the #94155-A focus motor, but requires the Focuser Retrofit Kit for RASA 11. The RASA 11 V2 (91076) is compatible with the #94155-A without a retrofit kit needed.

For 6” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes only, the Off-Axis Guider (#93648) cannot be used when the focus motor is installed due to mechanical interferences.

The post Celestron Focus Motor For SCT, EdgeHD and RASA appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

Become an instant astronomer, even if you’ve never used a telescope before, with the one-of-a-kind StarSense AutoAlign. Just set up the accessory, push the Align button on the hand control, and StarSense begins capturing and comparing images of the night sky against its internal database. In about three minutes, it’s gathered enough information to triangulate its position and align itself. Then, press the Sky Tour button: StarSense will automatically slew to all the best stars, planets, galaxies, and more currently visible in the night sky.

How it Works

The self-alignment technology behind our award-winning SkyProdigy series is now available for all of Celestron’s current computerized telescopes and backwards compatible with many older models as well. (See compatibility list below.)

A small digital camera takes the place of your finderscope and attaches using one of two provided mounting brackets. The included StarSense hand control, with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, takes the place of your NexStar hand control. The camera automatically captures a series of images of the sky. StarSense identifies the stars in the images, matching them to its database. Once a positive match is confirmed, StarSense calculates the coordinates of the center of the captured image, thereby determining exactly where the telescope is pointed.

Before StarSense, using a computerized telescope required a lengthy alignment process of finding and centering at least two bright stars in the telescope’s eyepiece. But StarSense automatically aligns itself with minimal user input. Just enter your time, date, and location and let StarSense do the rest!

Advanced Mount Modeling

Even the most advanced telescope users will love using StarSense AutoAlign. This affordable accessory replaces the expensive software usually used for advanced mount modeling.

With built-in mount modeling, you’ll get superior pointing accuracy from horizon to horizon. When your alignment needs to be perfect, add up to 10 additional calibration stars to achieve a new level of accuracy, great for locating objects in the camera’s field of view for astroimaging.

StarSense Accessory General Features

• Enables automatic alignment of your Celestron computerized telescope*.
• No need to identify or locate any star in the sky – StarSense will automatically align your telescope, so you can begin observing in minutes.
• Only accessory available that will enable automatic GoTo alignment.
• Aligns in 3 minutes or less.
• Provides advanced mount modeling – the ability to align on numerous stars throughout the sky for extremely precise goto pointing accuracy.
• StarSense hand controller included.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight (oz): Camera body only: 17 oz (0 g)
Communication Ports: RS-232 communication port on hand control, Aux interface and USB on camera
Computer Hand Control: Four line, 16 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
Database: 40,000+ objects

Please note that some Starsense units may need a firmware update in order to run with newly released Evolution mounts.
This may require additional cables.

StarSense camera field of view: 6.88º x 5.16º

The post StarSense for Celestron Mounts appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

The Celestron Off-Axis Guider uses a prism to intercept a small portion of the telescope’s focal plane (outside the field of view of the main imaging camera) to locate a guide star.

Any movement seen by the guide star will be the exact same movement seen by the imaging camera.

Guiding this way will correct for tracking errors, as well as opto-mechanical errors or flexure. The result: better astroimages with pinpoint round stars.

The Off-Axis Guider is an essential astro-imaging accessory for long focal length telescopes that require the most accurate guiding possible.

Off-Axis Guiders have been around for a long time, but typically pose three main challenges:

1. Finding a guide star from the far edges of the telescope’s focal plane can be difficult, considering the small field of view and sometimes less-than-ideal illumination.
2. Getting both imaging camera and autoguider to reach focus with one another is time consuming and sometimes requires experimentation.
3. Additional spacers and adapters are usually required for your particular camera, telescope, and autoguider, which adds to cost and complexity.

Celestron’s Off-Axis Guider addresses these challenges by:

1. Providing a large 12.5mm prism that can be adjusted to move closer to the center of the telescope’s focal plane, depending on the size of the imaging camera. This results in brighter guide stars, with the help of the large prism to fully illuminate the autoguider sensor.
2. Featuring a high-quality, fixed-orientation Helical focuser. This provides extremely smooth and accurate focus of the autoguider without changing (or twisting) the autoguider camera orientation.
3. Including all the needed spacers and adapters are included for most common imaging configurations, including DSLR cameras, Nightscape CCD cameras, and more. The following adapters are included: SCT/EdgeHD, female M48, female M42 (T-thread), male M48, male M42 (T-thread), 3 T-thread spacers

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The post Celestron 0.7x Focal Reducer for 8″ EdgeHD appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

Most Celestron finders are the same as Sky-Watcher, and have 11 fine threads cut into the rear of the finder tube.

However some are different and we now have a separate adapter for those Celestron finders with 8 coarser (1mm) rear finder threads. Simply remove the eyepiece and holder to check.

Please ask before purchase if you are unsure

Tests have confirmed that guiding is successful at focal lengths of up to 1500mm and more.

Stability is excellent if screws are tightened firmly and cables tied up.

Using the finder as a guide-scope reduces the weight and complexity of your imaging set-up and the wide field of view guarantees finding suitable guide stars.

Adapters are near parfocal with visual focus of the finder.

The post Celestron 1mm C Mount Adapter for Right Angled Finders appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

Most Celestron finders are the same as Sky-Watcher, and have 11 fine threads cut into the rear of the finder tube.

However some are different and we now offer this adapter for those Celestron finders with 8 coarser (1mm) rear finder threads. Simply remove the eyepiece and holder to check.

Please ask before purchase if you are unsure

Tests have confirmed that guiding is successful at focal lengths of 1500mm and more, see this article.

Stability is excellent if screws are tightened firmly and cables tied up.

Using the finder as a guide-scope reduces the weight and complexity of your imaging set-up and the wide field of view guarantees finding suitable guide stars.

The post Celestron 1mm T Thread Adapter for Right Angled Finders appeared first on Modern Astronomy.