Celestron's CGX GoTo EQ Mount Head improves on their venerable CGEM platform to provide users with a heavy-duty research-quality mount for large optical tube assemblies (OTAs), accessories, and imaging rigs. Engineered to carry a 55-pound payload, it has high-torque motors and heavy-duty belt-drive system to improve tracking stability and reduce backlash which enable it to smoothly and accurately track near- and deep-sky objects for long periods of time. Its Vixen/Losmandy dual dovetail saddle makes the mount compatible with most plates in use today.
The brain of the CGX EQ is the NexStar+ computer controller. Equipped with a database of 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog, it can also be programmed with up to 100 user-defined objects and filters for custom lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface allows you to observe the heavens with nine slew speeds and three tracking rates, plus anti-backlash compensation and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) for smoother movements in the motors and improved tracking over time. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar+ controller easy to use for new users and experienced stargazers.
Celestron CGX GoTo EQ Mount Head
Celestron's CGX GoTo EQ Mount Head improves on their venerable CGEM platform to provide users with a heavy-duty research-quality mount for large optical tube assemblies (OTAs), accessories, and imaging rigs. Engineered to carry a 55-pound payload, it has high-torque motors and heavy-duty belt-drive system to improve tracking stability and reduce backlash which enable it to smoothly and accurately track near- and deep-sky objects for long periods of time. Its Vixen/Losmandy dual dovetail saddle makes the mount compatible with most plates in use today.
The brain of the CGX EQ is the NexStar+ computer controller. Equipped with a database of 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog, it can also be programmed with up to 100 user-defined objects and filters for custom lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface allows you to observe the heavens with nine slew speeds and three tracking rates, plus anti-backlash compensation and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) for smoother movements in the motors and improved tracking over time. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar+ controller easy to use for new users and experienced stargazers.
Mount
- German equatorial mount, when properly polar aligned, provides precise tracking on the Right Ascension axis allows the optical tube to follow objects without field rotation—making it ideal for astrophotography and imaging
- 55 lb payload capacity
- 3 to 65° latitude adjustment range
- 20° of additional tracking past the meridian provides greater usability
- Dual-axis servo motors with optical encoders for smooth tracking and quiet operation
- High-torque motors provide smooth tracking and slewing for heavy OTAs
- Internal belt-drive system provides smooth, vibration-free tracking while minimizing backlash
- Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and improve gear meshing
- Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail-safe
- Internal hard stops for both axes prevent cable tension and tripod strike
- Autoguider port for making corrections while astroimaging
- Dual Vixen/Losmandy dovetail saddle, compatible with CG-5 and CGE bars
- Long clutch levers make tightening and loosening of clutches easier for manual movement
- Internal "Real Time Clock" keeps time and site information saved when power is turned off
- Internal cables/wires for snag-free operation
- Runs on included 12 VDC, 4A car/vehicle power supply
NexStar+ Hand Controller
- Intuitive menu-driven user interface
- Nine slew speeds: 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x, 0.3°/sec, 1.0°/sec, 2°/sec, 4°/sec
- Three tracking rates: Sidereal, Lunar, and Solar
- Anti-backlash correction: Trains out intrinsic play in gears for smoother movement and tracking
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC): Improves tracking precision for long-exposure astrophotography and imaging
- Alignment options: One or Two-star, Solar system, Quick, and Last
- Sky Tour: Based on location, date, and time, the system shows the best objects in the sky and automatically slews to them
- Object info: Provides useful information about the selected object such as magnitude and constellation; includes extended information about 200 popular objects
- 2-line, 18-character LCD window with red backlighting for comfortable viewing without affecting night-adjusted vision
- 19 function keys, backlit in red
- Mini-USB port: Connect to a computer, for use with software programs for point-and-click slewing capability and updating firmware via PC
NexStar+ Database
- 40,000-object database
- 400 user-defined objects for customization
- Filters for creating custom object lists
- Solar System: All seven planets plus the moon, sun, and Pluto
- Custom lists of all the brightest stars, double stars, variable stars, and asterisms
- Custom lists of all the best galaxies, nebulae, and clusters, as well as the complete Messier catalog and select NGC objects
Celestron CGX Tripod with Counterweights
Designed to support their CGX equatorial mount, the Celestron CGX Tripod has large 2" diameter legs to provide a solid and sturdy platform for the mount head plus an optical tube assembly and accessories. To accommodate a variety of users, optical tube styles, and viewing positions, the legs can adjust from 47.25 to 77.5" and terminate with spikes to provide solid footing. Graduated markings on the lower leg sections enable you to accurately repeat settings, saving setup and leveling time if you observe from the same location every night. Adding greater stability and vibration suppression, the center accessory tray acts as a leg spreader to lock them in-place while providing a convenient place to keep eyepieces, filters, or your phone safe and close to hand. Two 11-pound counterweights come in the box to assist in properly balancing your OTA on the mount head.
Celestron EdgeHD CGE 8" f/10 Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (OTA Only)
Engineered to deliver sharp and clear distortion-free views, the Celestron EdgeHD CGE 8" 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 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 40mm Plössl eyepiece that yields 51x magnification. The EdgeHD 8" 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 large CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy-style saddles.
Optical Tube
- 8" (203.2mm) aperture
- f/10 focal ratio
- 2032mm 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: 0.69 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.57 arcsec (Dawes)
- Secondary mirror obstruction: 2.7" (69mm); 34% by diameter; 11% by area
StarBright XLT System
- 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
Mounting
- OTA only; mount and tripod required for proper use
- Large CGE (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate
Included Accessories
- Standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) threads
- 1.25" eyepiece/accessory holder
- Use for prime focus or projection astrophotography with optional adapters
Eyepiece:
- Plössl lens configuration
- 1.25"-diameter barrel
- Accepts most 1.25" eyepiece filters
- 40mm focal length yields 51x 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" 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
