Engineered to deliver sharp and clear distortion-free views, the Celestron EdgeHD 14" f/11 Aplanatic Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope represents the largest aperture in the EdgeHD series and is an ideal choice for observation, astrophotography, and imaging objects beyond our solar system with exceptional sharpness and resolution, as well as magnification potential. 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 a mirror support clutches to ensure proper alignment and mirror locks to avoid accidental defocusing during long-exposure astrophotography. The optical tube is outfitted with an oversized 2" visual back to ensure large imaging sensors are completely covered to avoid vignetting. For visual observations, a 2" star diagonal is included along with a 23mm wide-angle eyepiece that yields a respectable 170x power. A reducer adapter is provided to allow the use of smaller and more common 1.25" eyepieces and accessories. The EdgeHD 14 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 it comes with a large CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy saddles.

14" (356mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA    3910mm Focal Length, f/11 Focal Ratio    StarBright XLT Optical Coating System    EdgeHD Aplanatic Field-Flattener Design    23mm Luminos Wide-Angle Eyepiece    2" Visual Back and 90° Diagonal    Internal Focusing with Mirror Locks    9x50 Finderscope with Mounting Bracket    Large CGE (Losmandy) Dovetail Plate    OTA Only; Mount and Tripod Required

• 14" (356mm) aperture
• f/11 focal ratio
• 3910mm 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: 0.39 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.33 arcsec (Dawes)
• Secondary mirror obstruction: 4.5" (114 mm); 32% by diameter; 10% by area

• 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

• OTA only; mount and tripod required for proper use
• Large CGE (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate

Visual Back:

• Standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) threads
• 2" eyepiece/accessory holder
• Use for prime focus or projection astrophotography with optional adapters

Eyepiece:

• Luminos-series wide-angle
• 82° field of view
• 2"-diameter barrel
• Accepts most 2" eyepiece filters
• 23mm focal length yields 170x power
• Parfocal with all Luminos eyepieces, allowing it to be changed out with other Luminos eyepieces without having to adjust the focus
• Retractable eyecup for use with or without eyewear

Reducer adapter:

• 2"-to-1.25" reducer adapter allows the use of smaller eyepieces and accessories in visual back or diagonal

Diagonal:

• 90° angle puts head in comfortable viewing position
• Threaded for direct connection to OTA without the need for the visual back
• 2" 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

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How tall is the tripod min and max, also what is the height of the mount? Thank you.

A: Just guessing here as I'm not with the unit; the tripod will go from about 3' to about 6'...the mount is approximately 16-18 tall

Q: 2. Does this telescope and mount stay fixed on the celestial object for astrophotography, similarto equatorial mount ?

A: Yes, this mount does track celestial objects and does a pretty good job. The problem is that it is an altitude-azimuth mount and so there is an effect called "field rotation" that will always be present. This is worse directly overhead and gets less pronounced as you go towards the horizon, but is always there. You can get around this somewhat by taking lots of short exposures and stacking them with software. I can take up to 15-second individual exposures and have combined these to make the equivalent of up to a 1-hour long exposure. Overall though, this is not a serious astrophotography mount in its stock form. You can buy a "wedge" to turn it into an equatorial mount and I've heard that works pretty well. I like the Evolution mount for its ease of use and setup. It's a great star party mount and I've had a lot of fun doing casual astrophotography of the brighter astronomical objects like the Messier Catalog. But if you want to take magazine quality images of an obscure nebula, you'll need an equatorial mount.

Q: 3. everything fits inside the hard case? even the tripod?

A: Tripod does not feet...it should be wrapped and shipped separately

Q: 4. What is the Celestron nexstar evolution 9.25 WiFi band? (2.4G? 5G? other?). Thanks.

A: The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 203mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope uses 2.4Ghz wifi.

Q: 5. If my choice were this versus the Advanced VX 8" f/10 EdgeHD Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo EQ package (CEAVX8EHD), which is better? Scopes have *very similar* but not quite identical specifications (such as different glass for some components). Is the half-fork mount better than the German EQ? I'd have to add an eq wedge for astrophotography, but any other important differences?

A: Optically they are the same and it is how they mount that is different. But it does not change the use of them. The Evolution is more portable and easier to setup and travel. If that is important the Evolution model might be the better option for you.

Q: 6. I need to know a) what are the dimensions of the case and what will be the total weight when carriyng the scope (nexstar evolution 8 with starsense device)b) is there a smaller case to carry the mount and the optical tube only?thank you

A: I got the case that fits just the optical tube. I think that any case that carried the tube and the driver mount would have to be quite large as the minimum length of the mount is 18 . The legs are 34 long if that is what you meant. Part of the reason we got the scope is the fact that the individual parts are light enough for my wife to pick up and use. We have a Meade LX200 original that is getting too heavy for use to safely carry any distance, so it stays at our observing shed. The Celestron will go back and forth with us when we travel.

Q: 7. Is the 9.6v 4.5aHr LiFePO rechargeable battery user replaceable?

A: Yes, the internal LIfePO rechargeable battery is user replaceable. For warranty service, the NexStar Evolution mount will need to be sent to Celestron for battery replacement. Please contact Celestron Technical Support for additional details. You can email them at: mail@celestronsupport.com

Q: 8. Can the magnification be changed? Like if I want to see it at a 100x? And then change it to 480x?

A: The only way to change magnification is with a more powerful eyepiece ( lower mm) or by a 2X Barlow lens which will increase the magnification of your existing eyepiece by 2X

Q: 9. Can only the telescope be purchased without the kit?

A: The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 203mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope BH #CENSE8 • MFR #12091 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046796-REG/celestron_12091_nexstar_evolution_8_telescope.html Is only sold as a complete set; Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Mount Goto handheld computer Tripod

Q: 10. What is the apparent field of view?

A: So the Apparent Field of View does all depends on the eyepiece. This scope comes with a 40mm and 13mm eyepiece. I am not sure which series eyepiece comes in the box. I would maybe call Celestron directly to see which eyepiece it comes with, and they will be able to know what the apparent field of view is for them. Celestron's Telephone Number: 310-328-9560