What are the advantages of the HyperStar system?
The most obvious advantage is speed. Using the HyperStar lens, the C14 operates at f/1.9, significantly shortening exposures and allowing more images to be taken each night. The focal length is also decreased resulting in a wider field of view. Guiding is less critical at this shorter focal length making the imaging process easier. The fact that the HyperStar 14 system allows the use of large-format CCD cameras can eliminate the need for a second, short-focal-length telescope for wide-field imaging. Many advanced CCD imagers purchase a small, high-quality refractor for wide-field imaging in addition to their long-focal-length Cassegrain telescopes. Using a C14 and HyperStar gives the best of both worlds–long focal length for small objects such as galaxies and planets, and short focal length for wide field images of nebulas and clusters–for thousands of dollars less.
