| In the summer of 2011,
Celestron brought fully automated alignment technology to their
computerized telescope line-up when they released the SkyProdigy series
incorporating their new StarSense technology. An SLT-based mount
featuring a built-in CCD camera with lens riding parallel to the optical
tube, after powering up and starting the alignment procedure, the mount
automatically slews around the sky taking images and recognizing the
star patterns in each image. After three images, the mount has
calculated the sky model and is ready to go. This requires the included
StarSense hand control which interfaces with the camera.
SkyProdigy is currently available with either a 130mm reflector or 6
inch SCT. Additionally, the mount uses
a standard CG-5/Vixen bracket to mount the tube to the fork arm allowing
substitution of other small optical tubes if desired. The tripod
has a built-in level to aid during setup and the optical tubes include a
red-dot unity finder.
The SkyProdigy mount is also compatible with the standard NexStar
hand control, although that hand control does not interface with the
built-in camera and cannot make use of the fully automated alignment
routine.
There is no internal battery compartment so the mount must be powered by
8D cell batteries in the provided external power pack or by any other
12VDC external power source
|
 |
