Starbright XLT multicoated optics: This advanced optical coatings package includes high reflectivity mirrors coated with multiple layers of vacuum-deposited aluminum. The mirror coatings are enhanced with titanium dioxide for maximum reflectivity and overcoated with a protective layer of silicon monoxide (quartz) for long life.

A unique combination of magnesium fluoride and hafnium dioxide antireflection coatings is vacuum-deposited on both sides of the Schmidt corrector lens for maximum light throughput and contrast. The corrector lens itself is made of high transmission water white float glass instead of the conventional soda lime glass (which has 3.5% lower transmission) used in other telescopes.

The Starbright XLT multicoatings 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. They also visibly increase the contrast on subtle lunar, planetary, and nebula details when compared with a scope with standard multicoatings.

NASA, and your tax dollars, can afford to purchase any optics in the world for use on the Space Shuttle. In the face of such very stiff competition, it is interesting to note that Celestron 5" Schmidt-Cassegrain optics have been chosen by NASA for scientific use on several Space Shuttle flights, proving that Celestron's 5" SCT optical performance is unmatched on Earth and in space.