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Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount
Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount

Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount

by Celestron
SKU CEL-93609
CA$61.00 - CA$61.00
CA$61.00
CA$61.00 - CA$61.00
CA$61.00
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  • Attaches a DSLR camera to your telescope's optical tube
  • Enables long-exposure, wide-field astrophotography
  • Uses your telescope's tracking to eliminate star trails
  • Compatible with Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tubes
  • Standard 1/4-20 tripod screw for camera mounting
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount

    The Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount transforms your existing Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope into a precise, tracking platform for your DSLR camera. By mounting your camera and lens directly onto your telescope's tube, you can leverage the scope's dual-axis motor drive to take multi-minute exposures of the night sky without star trails. This simple accessory unlocks deep, wide-field images of the Milky Way, comets, and large nebulae that are impossible to capture with a stationary camera tripod.

    Capture the Milky Way: Wide-Field Imaging with Your SCT

    Your SCT is designed for high-magnification views, but many of the sky's most impressive objects are too large to fit in its field. The Piggyback Mount lets you use your favorite camera lenses—from wide-angle to telephoto—to frame vast targets like the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) or the core of the Milky Way, while your telescope does the tracking.

    This method combines the wide, rich perspective of a camera lens with the precision tracking of a GoTo mount. The result is the ability to use longer exposures and lower ISO settings, producing clean, detailed images that reveal faint dust lanes and nebulosity that would otherwise be lost to noise or motion blur.

    Simple, Secure Attachment for NexStar 5, 6, and 8 OTAs

    This mount is engineered for a straightforward fit on Celestron's most popular Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. It attaches securely to the rear cell of your optical tube, providing a stable platform that won't compromise your telescope's balance or tracking accuracy.

    While designed for Celestron SCTs, its function is universal: it provides a standard 1/4-20 threaded post, the same as a standard photo tripod. This allows you to attach any DSLR or mirrorless camera equipped with a standard tripod socket, turning your astronomical setup into a powerful astrophotography system in minutes.

    Piggybacking vs. Tripod: The Key to 60-Second+ Exposures

    Astrophotography with a camera on a standard, stationary tripod is limited by the Earth's rotation; exposures longer than about 20 seconds will show stars as streaks. The Piggyback Mount overcomes this fundamental limitation by making the camera move with the sky.

    • Static Tripod: Star trails appear in short exposures, forcing high ISOs and noisy images. Faint details are impossible to resolve.
    • Piggyback Mount: Your telescope's drive system cancels out the Earth's rotation. This allows for exposures of 60 seconds, 2 minutes, or even longer (depending on your polar alignment), capturing deep, faint signals with sharp, pinpoint stars.

  • What kind of photos can I take with the Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount?

    The Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount is ideal for wide-field astrophotography. It allows you to use your DSLR and camera lenses to capture large-scale celestial objects and scenes, such as the Milky Way, constellations, meteor showers, and passing comets, all while your telescope tracks the sky to prevent star trails.

    How does the Celestron Piggyback Mount attach to my NexStar 8SE?

    The mount attaches to existing screw holes on the rear cell of your Celestron 8" SCT optical tube. You simply unthread the existing screws, place the piggyback mount, and re-secure it with the same screws. Your DSLR camera then attaches to the mount's 1/4-20 threaded post, just like it would on a tripod.

    Do I need a special camera for the Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount?

    No, you do not need a specialized astronomy camera. The Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount is designed to be used with any standard DSLR or mirrorless camera that has a 1/4-20 tripod socket on the bottom. It's the perfect way to get started in astrophotography with the camera you already own.

    What is the main advantage of the Celestron Piggyback Mount over a star tracker?

    The main advantage is that it lets you use the high-precision GoTo mount you already own as your tracker. You don't need to buy, power, and polar align a separate piece of equipment. If your telescope is aligned, you can simply attach your camera and start taking long-exposure photos immediately.

    Can I use the Celestron Piggyback Mount to capture the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with a 200mm lens?

    Absolutely. This is an ideal setup for the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). A 200mm lens provides a perfect field of view to capture the galaxy and its companions, M32 and M110. By using the Celestron Piggyback Mount on a tracking SCT, you can take multi-minute exposures to reveal the faint outer dust lanes of the galaxy.

    Is my polar alignment critical when using the Celestron Piggyback Mount?

    Yes. The quality of your tracking, and therefore the maximum exposure length you can achieve, is directly dependent on the accuracy of your mount's polar alignment. For an alt-azimuth mount like a NexStar SE, you will experience field rotation on very long exposures, limiting you to around 30-60 seconds. For an equatorially mounted scope, a precise polar alignment can allow for exposures of several minutes.

  • Compatibility Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes (5", 6", 8", etc.)
    Camera Mounting Standard 1/4"-20 threaded post

    • Celestron Universal Piggyback Mount

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  • Celestron 2-Year Warranty