Celestron 9.25" SCT optical tube, CGE/Losmandy dovetail

$1,799.00

Availability: More on the way

This 9.25" optical tube with state-of-the-art Starbright XLT multicoatings gathers 33% more light than an 8" scope for higher resolution and brighter images of faint deep space objects. It mounts directly on Celestron CGE and Losmandy GM8/G11 mounts . . .
Our Product #: C9OTAX
Celestron Product #: 91027-XLT
Recommended Accessories
 

Product Description

This 9.25" aperture optical tube gathers 33% more light than an 8" scope, providing brighter images of faint deep space objects. Its light-gathering ability is over 1125 times that of even the sharpest dark-adapted eye. The optical design uses a longer focal length primary mirror and lower magnification secondary mirror than a conventional SCT. This yields a flatter field of view at the focal plane. It also reduces optical aberrations during photography and when using wide field long focal length 2" eyepieces. An optimized baffle system further improves astrophotography by minimizing vignetting at the corners of a 35mm negative or large format CCD.

Advanced Starbright XLT multicoatings are standard equipment. This coatings 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. The corrector lens itself is made of high transmission water white float glass instead of conventional soda lime glass (which has 3.5% lower transmission) used in other telescopes.

Starbright XLT multicoatings visibly increase the contrast on subtle lunar, planetary, and nebula details when compared with a scope with standard multicoatings. They also give you higher light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times during CCD and 35mm photography. Across the total visual/photographic spectrum from 400nm to 750nm, independent laboratory tests show the new Starbright XLT coatings are 16% brighter overall than even the original industry-standard Starbright multicoatings.

The rugged aluminum optical tube is only 22" long and weighs only 20 lbs., making it easy to transport and set up. An optional focal reducer (#8325) is available to bring the focal ratio down to a fast f/6.3 for CCD and 35mm photography.

A review of Celestron 9.25" optics in Astronomy magazine said the optics were "a real winner . . . (Jupiter's) belts were simply dazzling, with subtle colors and the most tenuous detail seen steadily . . . (Saturn's) rings were very impressive, and both Cassini's Division and the C ring were easily visible . . . Deep sky objects were no less appealing . . . the Orion Nebula was wonderful, showing its gossamer clouds in all sorts of intricate contortions. Buried within the clouds, all four stars of the Trapezium sparkled, and even the more challenging E and F Trapezium members shown through . . . The telescope delivered consistently good images of these celestial gems - a sign of superb optical quality."

The optical tube comes with a 6 x 30mm straight-through achromatic finderscope and mounting bracket. The finder has a wide 7° field of view. It focuses by loosening the trim ring behind the objective lens cell, screwing the lens cell in or out to focus, and tightening the trim ring to lock in the correct focus. Also included is a removable 1.25" visual back that holds visual and photographic accessories such as a star diagonal, tele-extender, etc. A 1.25" prism type star diagonal is also standard, as is a 1.25" 25mm Plössl eyepiece. This eyepiece provides a magnification of 94x, with a 0.51° field that's slightly larger than the full Moon.

A 4" wide dovetail slide bar runs the length of the tube for mounting the optical tube on a Celestron CGE or Losmandy GM8/G11 German equatorial mount. Optional split mounting rings are also available to put the tube on another mount of the buyer's choosing. Dust covers for the optics complete the supplied accessories.

Tech Details

Aperture 9.25"
Focal Length 2350mm
Focal Ratio f/10
Heaviest Single Component 20 lbs.
Highest Useful Magnification 470x
Weight 20 lbs.
Resolution 0.49 arc seconds
Visual Limiting Magnitude 14.4
Warranty 2 years

Reviews

Review by:
I have had many Schmidt's and my 9.25 is the best one yet. Great optics and lighter than the 11 with flatter images. It works good with a reducer/corrector for AP too. (Posted on 7/22/2019)
Review by:
Great optical tube! Got great views of Mars through this thing. (Posted on 12/9/2018)
Review by:
This telescope is an excellent choice for any serious amateur astronomer. It strikes a great balance between weight and aperture for lunar, planetary and deep sky observing. When carried on my Losmandy G11 mount, it's a perfect instrument for public outreach. I highly recommend using a 2" tail stock with a mirror star diagonal. (Posted on 12/6/2018)
Review by:
I have owned a number of cassegrains, but the 9.25 is my favorite. Light and powerful, its arguably the best cassegrain made. Amazing for observing or imaging. Fastar compatible for use with Hyperstar as an astrograph. Jupiter, saturn, the moon, all stunning. You will not be dissapointed with this scope. I've imaged many DSOs thru this scope with great results and for solar system imaging its second to none. You'll be hard pressed to find a single negative review on the net regarding this scope, even when compared with a c11. When you own one... you keep it... A legendary scope. (Posted on 11/25/2018)
Review by:
For 5 years my most-used scope was an 8" F/6 dob, which I find to be enough aperture to really enjoy a large catalogue of DSOs. I wanted something of similar aperture that could ride on a reasonably sized mount with motion controls. This was a perfect choice. I ride this opposite a 120mm F/5 refractor on a Losmandy AZ8 as my main set-up. It is heaven. And logistically this whole rig takes up less space in my car than the 8" solid tube dob. I do prefer to use a focal reducer for sharpest views. (Posted on 10/26/2018)
Review by:
I use my C9.25 for public outreach and it always shows outstanding views and it holds collimation very well. Many people have told me Saturn looked so good it must be fake. No it's the real thing I tell them and ask them to focus in and out to prove it. And the moon shows incredible detail and contrast along the terminator. It is also an outstanding deep sky telescope, my favorite objects other than the planets are the globular clusters which I like to go after with high magnification and really fill the eyepiece with stars. The only drawback is the narrow field of view, just over 1° with the 31mm TeleVue Nagler. It's a great all around scope! (Posted on 10/7/2018)
Review by:
This is probably the best Schmidt Cassegrain telescope that Celestron makes. I own a Celestron 4 inch Mak, a 5 inch SC, a 6 inch SC, and an 8 inch SC. I have looked through quite a few 14's. This one is the best of the bunch optically. I remember taking it with me to the Winter Star Party several years ago and the views of Saturn were just incredible. A great scope at a great price! (Posted on 8/4/2017)
How do you rate this product? *
Rating