The Celestron Piggyback Adapter for C8, C9.25, C11, and C14 Telescopes is a specialized optical accessory designed to mount a camera directly on top of your telescope optical tube. This enables parallel imaging and wide-field astrophotography, allowing you to use your existing optical equipment to capture broad views of the night sky.
Advantages
This adapter provides a secure and stable mechanical connection between your camera and telescope, ensuring that your equipment remains firmly in place during long exposure imaging sessions. By mounting the camera piggyback style, astronomers can leverage the tracking accuracy of the main telescope mount to record stunning celestial photographs without the need for a separate tracking mount. It is engineered specifically for compatibility with select large-aperture Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tubes, ensuring a precise fit and reliable alignment.
Suitable for
- Wide-field astrophotography using DSLR or mirrorless cameras
- Parallel imaging alongside primary telescope observations
- Capturing large constellations, Milky Way segments, and major meteor showers
- Long-exposure tracking of deep-sky objects with an equatorial mount
When it may not be suitable
This adapter is not designed for high-magnification planetary or lunar imaging through a telephoto camera lens mounted on the telescope. It may also introduce balancing challenges if the combined weight of the camera, lens, and adapter exceeds the payload capacity of your current telescope mount.
Key specifications
- Compatible with Celestron C8, C9.25, C11, and C14 telescope optical tubes
- Designed for piggyback camera mounting
- Enables parallel imaging and astrophotography
- Provides a secure and stable connection platform
How to use
To use the adapter, first ensure your telescope is securely mounted and balanced. Attach the adapter firmly to the designated mounting points on the top of your telescope optical tube. Next, mount your camera equipped with a suitable photographic lens securely onto the adapter's threaded post or platform. Verify that all attachment screws are fully tightened to prevent any movement during tracking. Balance the combined setup on your mount before beginning your imaging session.
What to consider before purchase
- Verify that your specific telescope optical tube model is among the supported C8, C9.25, C11, or C14 variants
- Check the total weight capacity of your telescope mount to ensure it can support the added weight of the camera and lens
- Ensure you have the appropriate camera mounting thread or compatible hardware to attach your specific camera model
Usage recommendations: Always check and adjust the balance of your telescope mount after mounting the camera and adapter to prevent excessive wear on the drive motors. Use a cable release or remote timer for your camera to minimize vibrations during long exposures.
