Hyper Star C8 - photographical system for the Schmidt-Cassegrain f/2 prime focus
... turn your Celeston SC into a Schmidt camera


Celestron USA was one of the first big telescope manufacturers who was able to design fast Schmidt cameras for the consumer market. With the Hyper Star system, Celestron tied in with this tradition. In a few minutes, you can turn your Schmidt-cassegrain into a fast f/2 Schmidt camera suitable for the high resolution of modern CCD sensors.

The Hyper Star system replaces the secondary mirror:

By easy adapting the Hyper Star system to the Schmidt plate, you can change within a few minutes between the f/2 and the f/10 focus of your SC telescope.

Your SC telescope must be Fastar compatible - this is how it's prepared:
If your SC is already Fastar compatible, you just need to install the Hyper Star kit. For all other SCs, we offer the Hyper Star kit and (if you want) the alteration, too.

BA1341008: Fastar conversion kit for C8
BA1341008U: Installing the Fastar conversion kit (if you don't want to do it on your own)
Both products are offered in the "accessories" folder. Every conversion kit comes with a instruction manual.



What is the Hyper Star system and how does it work?

Hyper Star is a multi-lens corrector system which replaces the secondary mirror and corrects for the remaining abbreviations of the main mirror. Coma and field curvature are completely eliminated so you have a wide and flat field for photography. Simply spoken, you get an easy-to-use Schmidt Camera for the digital era.

The Hyper Star's advantages:
-- your old Schmidt Cassegrain is turned into a Schmidt Camera
-- all functions of your telescope remain
-- no expensive special optics are necessary - you have two telescopes in one
-- by the very short exposure times, even alt-azimuthal mounts can be used successfully
-- moderate exposure times are possible even using narrowband interference filters
-- individual and precise adaption to your camera (please specify model when ordering)

Frequently asked questions concerning Hyper Star: - How is focusing done? ... With the main mirror, as before. - Can HyperStar be used for visual observation? ... Theoretically, yes. But we don't recommend that because the observer's head will cover most of the telescope's aperture. - Is an eventually existing main mirror shift disturbing? ... Due to the very short focal length and the short exposure times, this causes no problems. - Is the vignetting of this system a topic? ... No. For photography, vignetting is no problem because of the camera's limited dynamic range. Even professional telescopes often have a vignetting value of 50% and are used with success. - Do I have to recollimate the system after altering? ... Here, we have one great advantage of the Hyper Star system. The secondary mirror is completely removed including its suppor cell and reinstalled in the same way. The system needs only one collimation after installing the first time.

Effective exposure time savings with the Hyper Star system:

In 30 seconds, you achieve the same result as with 12.5 minutes at f/10. So the necessary exposures times are reduced by the factor of 25. Many other distortions caused by seeing or periodic errors of the mount are also reduced. The overall image definition is raised. Alt-azimuthal mounts can be used, too. The field rotation effect does not harm your picture within 30 seconds.

Picuture example: Hyper Star with a CPC - a polar wedge is not necessary.

Use of SLR cameras with the HyperStar for 8" SCs:
The HyperStar for 8" SC Telescopes will not work with DSLR Cameras with the standard 45mm distance from the bayonet to the chip. The HyperStar allows only 39,8mm maximum. Cameras with the new "micro 4/3 bayonet will work with the kit becaouse these cameras only have 20mm distance.

Technical details:

-- Effective focal ratio with the Hyper Star: f/2
-- Effective focal length: 406mm
-- Usable sensor sizes: up to 27mm diagonal
-- Coatings: multi coatings on every glass/air surface
-- Camera connection: via special factory adaptation
-- Collimation: Via collimation screws
-- Rotation: the camera can be turned by 360° with no loss of focus
-- Dimensions: 81.3x76.2mm (length x diameter)
-- Weight: < 0.5 kg
-- Distance to the focus from the top of the connection thread ... 39,8mm
-- Optical Lengh of the original T2 Adapter ... 19,4mm - distance to the focus 26,9mm

We also offer a short T2 Adapter which offers 37,8mm distance to the focus (look to suggested acessories)

Scope of delivery:

-- Hyper Star with holder
-- Instruction manual
-- No Balance weight included
-- Standard T2 Adaptor

A picture sample with C8 and Hyper Star: