Telescope Celestron CPC 1100 GPS (XLT)

The CPC 11 XLT is the most advanced, quickest to set up, and easiest to use large aperture telescope that Celestron has ever designed. With high transmission XLT multicoatings and a light grasp almost 1600 times that of even the sharpest dark-adapted eye, the CPC 11 XLT can reveal to you faint star clusters, nebulas, planets, and galaxies in amazing detail. The CPC 11'' XLT is a significant step up from smaller scopes in performance. It is superb for 35mm astrophotography and CCD imaging as well. Celestron is famous for high quality large Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes for a long time, as well being the first to introduce computerized mounts for amateur astronomers. CPC Series with revolutionary SkyAlign Alignment technology re-defines everything that amateur astronomers are looking for - quick and simple alignment, GPS, unsurpassed optical quality, ease of set-up and use, ergonomics, enhanced computerization and, most important, affordability. Although very large in aperture, with its conveniently located carrying handles and an optical tube weight of only 29 kg., this telescope is still portable enough to setup in your backyard on your own. With sophisticated software features like Hibernate function, the CPC can maintain its star alignment night after night without needing to be re-aligned, making it an ideal instrument for a permanent observatory facility. Optical tube is 1'' in aperture (2800mm focal length f10). The 11'' aperture gathers almost double light than an 8'' scope, providing incredibly bright images of faint deep space objects. Its longer primary focal length and lower magnification secondary mirror produce a flatter field of view at the focal plane. This helps to reduce optical aberrations during photography and when using wide field long focal length 2'' eyepieces. Aluminum tube construction. The optics are hand-figured  a complex optical procedure to perfect the performance that's done on a commercial basis only by Celestron. StarBright XLT package includes high reflectivity multilayer aluminum mirrors enhanced with titanium dioxide for high reflectivity, plus a unique combination of magnesium fluoride and hafnium dioxide antireflection coatings on both sides of the Schmidt corrector lens. Starbright XLT multicoatings give you higher light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times during CCD and 35mm photography. They also visibly increase the contrast on subtle lunar, planetary, and nebula details when compared with a scope with standard coatings or multicoatings. Across the total visualphotographic spectrum from 400nm to 750nm, tests show the new Starbright XLT coatings are 16% brighter overall than even the original industry-standard Starbright multicoatings. Focuser is smooth with minimum image shift due to use of pre-loaded ball-bearings rather then bushings. Removable 1.25'' visual back holds visual and photographic accessories such as a star diagonal, tele-extender, off-axis guider, etc. Supplied with 8x50 achromat focuser, and 40mm quality Plosll eyepiece (70x). The heavy-duty die-cast aluminum dual fork arms are rigid and damp vibrations quickly. The new heavy duty tripod has 2" diameter steel legs. The leg brace also doubles as an accessory tray with holes to safely hold three 1.25'' eyepieces. he tripod adjusts in height over a 30" to 45" range. The mount includes slewingtracking motors in both altitude and azimuth. A large 9.8" azimuth bearing provides ultra-stable and smooth polar axis motion. The 5.625'' diameter 180-tooth hard-anodized altitude and azimuth drive gears are driven by brass worms to provide smooth slewing and tracking, with 9 user-selectable speeds. The drives work in the altazimuth mode (rightleft updown) to locate and track objects for visual use and casual solar system photography. If long exposure deep space photography is planned, the scope should be converted to equatorial operation by adding an optional wedge. The scope is powered by external 12 Volt 1.5 Amp DC power (a car battery or optional rechargeable 12V battery). The operation of the NexStar computer with SkyAlign is simplicity itself. Simply mount the scope on its tripod and turn on the power. The built-in GPS system uses signals from satellites to calculate the scope's location on earth with an accuracy measured in meters. After quickly doing all these calculations for you automatically (you don't have to enter any information manually), the SkyAlign software in the scope's hand control signals you to point the scope at any three bright stars, yea any star, planet or moon it doesn't matter. Using the scope's hand control, center the stars in the finderscope crosshairs. The scope will then be ready to find and track over 45,000 objects for you at your command. NexRemote telescope control software allows you to control the CPC 11 XLT from your personal computer or laptop. NexRemote provides full emulation of every aspect of the Celestron computerized hand control and even more. If you prefer to plan your observations, then save the tour and let the computer do the searching and tracking. The are numerous options for serious astrophotographer to choose from. Built-in programmable permanent periodic error correction allows sharper images, with fewer guiding corrections needed during the shorter exposures needed due to the high transmission XLT coatings. Built-in adjustable backlash compensation permits precise corrections during astrophotography and when observing visually at high powers. A CCD autoguider port is standard equipment. The NexStar computer hand control includes an RS-232 port for communication with a PC to operate the scope remotely.