The CGE 1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is part of Celestrons "Top-of-the-Line" German Equatorial mounted astronomical telescopes. With the optical tube assembly of the CGE 1100 weighing only 27.5 lbs., this telescope is still portable enough to be taken to dark skies, and it has 89% more light gathering power than an 8 inch telescope. This telescope is especially at home as a solid platform for long exposure photgraphy with optional CCD cameras or photographic equipment, it is a serious scientific research tool. Using an f6.3 Focal Reducer or Fastar accessory makes it usable with a wide variety of CCD cameras. German Equatorial mounts are recognized as being the superior choice for astrophotography because of thier rock solid stability, simple balancing and easy accessibility for attaching equipment.