Hotech HyperStar Laser Collimator 9.25" / 11" (64685)

Accurate Collimation Without Using a Star

Achieving precise star collimation typically demands ideal observing conditions: clear skies, calm air, stable temperatures, minimal light pollution, a well-aligned tracking mount, thermal equilibrium of the optical tube, and a suitably bright reference star. In practice, many of these factors are beyond the observer’s control. As a result, traditional star collimation often turns into a frustrating guessing game—moving between the front and back of the telescope, adjusting screws while peering through a high-magnification eyepiece at an unstable, defocused star image. The process can be time-consuming and unreliable.

Artificial stars are also an imperfect substitute. True collimation requires the telescope to be focused at infinity, which an artificial star cannot replicate. After collimating with an artificial star, refocusing to infinity involves shifting the primary mirror, potentially introducing mechanical tolerance errors. In some mass-produced Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, issues such as sticky baffles can cause mirror flop, altering alignment and rendering previous collimation ineffective. Ideally, optics should be collimated at the same focus position used for final observing or imaging, without major optical displacement. The HyperStar Laser Collimator makes this possible while avoiding accumulated alignment errors.

Collimation Within the Telescope’s Focal Distance

The HyperStar Laser Collimator achieves high-accuracy collimation without requiring long distances. By using a flat mirror installed at the focal point—where the imaging sensor normally sits—the laser beam passes twice through the optical system. This double-pass method amplifies alignment errors, enabling extremely precise adjustment. At the same time, it reduces the required collimation distance, allowing an efficient near-field alignment process.

For setup, the collimator is positioned directly in front of the telescope within its focal length. The user stands between the telescope and the collimator, aiming both toward each other. By adjusting the HyperStar collimation knobs, the returning laser beams are aligned along the same path. This makes collimation a straightforward, one-person operation.

What HyperStar Is and How It Works

HyperStar is a multi-element optical correction system that replaces the standard secondary mirror in a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Instead of the secondary mirror correcting coma and field curvature, these corrections are handled by the HyperStar optics, which are designed using advanced optical modeling. A CCD or DSLR camera is mounted directly at the front of the telescope.

The result is that a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is transformed into a digital Schmidt camera operating at extremely fast focal ratios: f/2 for C8 and C11 telescopes, and f/1.9 for the C14. This dramatically increases imaging efficiency and allows modern digital and CCD cameras to perform at their best.

Wide-field sky surveys, comet observation, and deep-sky astrophotography become far more efficient. A 30-second exposure at f/2 delivers image brightness comparable to roughly 12 minutes at f/10, reducing exposure times by about a factor of 25. Short exposures also minimize the effects of atmospheric turbulence and tracking errors, resulting in sharper images.

Because exposure times are so brief, field rotation becomes negligible. This eliminates the need for an equatorial mount or precise polar alignment, allowing effective imaging even with simple alt-azimuth mounts. Multiple short exposures can be stacked during image processing to produce high-quality deep-sky images with minimal effort.

Compatibility and Assembly

HyperStar optical kits are available for C8, C9.25, C11, and C14 optical tube assemblies. Mechanical conversion kits are offered to make standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes HyperStar compatible. For FastStar-equipped telescopes, conversion is direct: the secondary mirror is unscrewed and the HyperStar system is installed using an adapter ring.

Key Advantages of HyperStar

• Converts a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope into a digital Schmidt camera while retaining normal telescope functionality

• Eliminates issues related to primary mirror shift

• Dramatically reduces exposure times

• Simplifies tracking requirements, enabling high-quality astrophotography even with basic alt-azimuth mounts

• Removes the need for precise polar alignment during mobile use

• Enables narrowband astrophotography thanks to high light-gathering power and a wide image field

• Ideal for DSLR cameras, which are optimized for fast focal ratios

• Fully compatible with modern Schmidt-Cassegrain HD optical tube assemblies

Frequently Asked Questions

How is focus achieved with HyperStar?
Focusing is performed using the primary mirror, just as in the standard telescope configuration.

Can visual observing be done through FastStar?
No. Visual observing is impractical because the observer would be positioned in front of the Schmidt corrector, causing excessive obstruction.

Is mirror shift an issue when focusing?
Removing the secondary mirror eliminates the fivefold magnification of an f/10 system, reducing mirror shift by a factor of five and making it negligible.

How good is the image quality?
Image quality is comparable to RC astrograph systems and suitable for semi-professional cameras. Stars appear much finer than at f/10.

Does the camera obstruction cause problems?
For imaging, obstruction is far less critical than for visual use. Many professional telescopes have significantly larger central obstructions.

Is re-collimation required when switching back to the standard setup?
No. The HyperStar lens is collimated initially, and reinstalling the original secondary mirror does not require additional collimation.

Are there any disadvantages?
Yes—clear, moonless nights may suddenly feel too short.

The HyperStar system is one of the fastest and easiest ways to enter deep-sky astrophotography. No equatorial mount, polar alignment, or guiding is required. Deep-sky images can be captured in seconds instead of hours, making astrophotography more accessible than ever.

Technical Specifications

Connections and Power

• Telescope connection: 1.25-inch

• Laser diodes: 2

• Maximum output power: 1 mW

• Battery type: CR123 3 V lithium

General Information

• Product type: Alignment accessory

• Design category: Laser alignment tool