Telescopes & Astronomy

Bring out the best in your nebulae astroimages with the H-alpha H-beta OIII (Hα-Hβ-OIII) Imaging Filter for the 8” RASA. This specialized filter allows high transmission of light from emission nebulae while blocking light pollution, helping to make your images pop with detail off the black sky background with superior contrast.

Fortunately, many sources of light pollution have relatively discreet emission spectra; they emit primarily at specific wavelengths of light. By strategically blocking these “bad” wavelengths, the filter essentially eliminates the effect of light pollution while letting the “good” wavelengths of light associated with the emission nebula pass through to the camera. You’ll notice much higher contrast in your images immediately, even if imaging from your light polluted backyard! And since the transmission at the key wavelengths is so high, the nebula will not be dimmed—only the background will be blacker.

• Enhance your 8” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) by blocking light pollution, improving image contrast, and darkening the sky background.
• This filter selectively blocks wavelengths of light from sources of light pollution, such as streetlights, not broad regions of the spectrum.
• Does not block wavelengths associated with emission nebulae, keeping your nebula images bright and detailed.
• Fits into the 8” RASA’s integrated filter mount, maintaining peak optical performance.
• Optically flat surfaces free of defects, constructed of Schott glass with anti-reflection coatings.

Combined with the aperture of 300mm and focal length of 1500mm, this scope is great for prime-focus photography. Higher quality images can be achieved with the optional coma corrector.

For eight years, Celestron’s workhorse CGEM mount lineup has been the German Equatorial backbone for telescopes ranging from 6 to 11 inches of aperture. Since that time, many more astro-imagers and planetarium controlled setups have emerged as backyard telescope technology has evolved. Celestron’s engineering team applied their years of experience designing German Equatorial mounts to the all-new CGX EQ, a culmination of all the advancements made to our technologies, value, and ease-of-use.

• Flat-field free of optical aberrations like field curvature, coma, astigmatism and chromatic aberration across an entire APS-C sensor.
• Unlike the larger RASAs that work with DSLR and large CCD cameras, the 8” model was designed with color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras in mind. The telescope does not work with standard DSLR cameras.
• Ultra-Stable Focus System – precision linear ball bearing virtually eliminates image shift.
• Internal filter mount – seamlessly accommodates a Light Pollution Imaging Filter into the optical path.
• Performs over a wider spectral range than most telescopes, from 400-800 nm, so more of the light passing through the astrograph is in sharp focus.
• The CGX, with its 55 lb load capacity, is Celestron’s most innovative, state-of-the art, computerized equatorial mount to date, and provides a very sturdy and rigid platform for the fully-loaded RASA 8.
• The drive system utilizes low cog DC Servo motors with integrated optical encoders, belt and pulley motor connection, spring-loaded steel worm gears supported by precision sealed bearings, and brass worm wheels for smooth, accurate slewing and tracking performance with little backlash.
• Fully remote imaging capable, with optical limit switches, home sensors, through-mount cabling, and hard stops.
• Included Celestron PWI software allows direct computer control via USB 2.0 connection.
• Proven NexStar+ computerized telescope control technology supports functions to address imagers’ needs, such as All-Star Polar Alignment, Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC), and adjustable tracking through meridian.

• Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Optical Design – 8” f/2.2 flat field imaging system with rare-earth glass for outstanding images free of optical defects like field curvature, coma, astigmatism and chromatic aberration across an entire APS-C sensor.
• Unlike the larger RASAs that work with DSLR and large CCD cameras, the 8” model was designed with color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras in mind. The astrograph does not work with standard DSLR cameras.
• Ultra-Stable Focus System – precision linear ball bearing virtually eliminates image shift.
• Integrated air-cooling system –12V DC MagLev fan reduces cooldown time and provides optimal air flow while filtering out dust.
• Internal filter mount – seamlessly accommodates a Light Pollution Imaging Filter into the optical path.
• Performs over a wider spectral range than most telescopes, from 400-800 nm, so more of the light passing through the astrograph is in sharp focus.
• Advanced VX, the most compact and portable of Celestron’s German equatorial mounts, offers a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lb with the same rigidity as our larger mounts and minimal flexure.
• This mount offers every feature an astroimager wants: PEC, an autoguider port, the ability to image across the meridian, and more.
• Dual saddle plate is compatible with narrow CG-5 dovetails and wider CGE dovetail. Also compatible with Vixen format dovetails longer than 100mm, but not compatible with Losmandy D format plates.
• Accessories included: M42 camera adapter, C-thread camera adapter, and fan battery pack.

• 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (OTA)
• Features Celestron's premium patented StarBright XLT optical coatings
• 2032 mm focal length (f/10)
• Fastar compatible
• Tube constructed of durable and lightweight aluminum
• Includes: 25mm eyepiece (81x), 6x30 optical finderscope, star diagonal, 1.25” visual back, CGEM style dovetail bar

NOTE: The recommended solar filter for this scope for solar observing is the Astrozap Glass Solar Filter (Product No. 124451) 

• Connect your Canon mirrorless camera to the 8” RASA with one simple solution—no other adapters required.
• Places the camera sensors at the proper backfocus distance for the 8” RASA for pinpoint stars across the entire field of view.
• Uses the camera’s bayonet mount for a secure connection that won’t rotate once installed.
• Made of machined aluminum with black anodized finish.

• Connect your Sony mirrorless camera to the 8” RASA with one simple solution—no other adapters required.
• Places the camera sensors at the proper backfocus distance for the 8” RASA for pinpoint stars across the entire field of view.
• Uses the camera’s bayonet mount for a secure connection that won’t rotate once installed.
• Made of machined aluminum with black anodized finish.

• 6” (150mm) f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain includes StarBright XLT coatings for better light transmission
• The most compact and portable of Celestron’s German equatorial mounts offers the same rigidity as our larger mounts with minimal flexure and an improved industrial design
• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lb
• Every feature an astroimager wants: PEC, an autoguider port, the ability to image across the meridian, and more
• Dual saddle plate is compatible with narrow CG-5 dovetails and wider CGE dovetail. Also compatible with Vixen format dovetails longer than 100mm, but not compatible with Losmandy D format plates.
• Latitude range allows the mount to perform between 7° and 77° latitude
• Accessories include a 25mm eyepiece, 1.25” star diagonal and 6x30 finderscope