High-Contrast Nebula Imaging with Celestron Origin
The Celestron Nebula Filter for Origin is a specialised Hα-Hβ-OIII imaging filter engineered for the fast f/2.2 RASA optics in the Origin Intelligent Home Observatory. It transmits the principal emission wavelengths produced by many nebulae while blocking much of the artificial light pollution and natural skyglow that can wash out image contrast.
- Designed specifically for Celestron Origin’s f/2.2 RASA optical system
- Transmits Hα at 656nm, Hβ at 486nm and OIII at 496/501nm
- At least 85% transmission at the key nebula wavelengths
- Less than 0.5% transmission outside the intended passbands
- Schott B270 optical glass with dichroic and anti-reflection coatings
- Fits directly into Origin’s filter drawer without an additional adapter
Purpose-Designed for Fast f/2.2 RASA Optics
Light reaches a fast RASA focal plane at steeper angles than it does in many conventional telescope designs. Narrower filters can experience a spectral shift that reduces transmission at the required wavelengths. Celestron designed this filter’s passbands around Origin’s f/2.2 light cone so that useful nebula emission is not inadvertently blocked.
The filter is individually tested at the factory. A spectral transmission graph for the specific filter is supplied in the package.
Best Targets and When to Remove the Filter
The filter is intended for emission nebulae such as the North America Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, Orion Nebula and similar Hα-Hβ-OIII targets. The contrast improvement is most obvious under urban and suburban light pollution, although blocking natural skyglow can also help under darker skies.
Do not use this filter for broadband targets such as galaxies, star clusters or ordinary star fields. For those targets, remove the Nebula Filter, reinstall Origin’s clear optical window and refocus the telescope.
Direct Installation in the Origin Filter Drawer
Remove the Origin dew shield, pull out the filter drawer and carefully unthread the clear optical window by holding its cell. Thread the Nebula Filter into the same side of the drawer, reinstall the drawer and dew shield, then run the Origin autofocus function.
Handle both filters only by their cells. Installing the filter from the wrong side can prevent the drawer from seating correctly.
Optical Construction and Storage
The 2mm-thick Schott B270 glass is mounted in a black-anodised aluminium cell with a knurled edge. Multi-layer anti-reflection coatings help suppress unwanted reflections. Store the filter—or Origin’s removed clear window—in the supplied foam-lined plastic case when it is not installed.
What Is Included?
- Celestron Nebula Filter for Origin
- Individual spectral transmission graph
- Foam-lined plastic storage case
Please note: The Origin telescope, filter drawer and clear optical window are not included with this filter.
Specifications
Optical and Mechanical Specifications
| Filter type | Hα-Hβ-OIII multi-bandpass nebula imaging filter |
|---|---|
| Glass | Schott B270 |
| Glass thickness | 2mm (0.078 inches) |
| Filter diameter | 25mm |
| Clear aperture | 24mm (0.94 inches) |
| Key transmitted wavelengths | 486nm, 496/501nm and 656nm |
| Transmission at key wavelengths | 85% or greater |
| Transmission outside the passbands | Less than 0.5% |
| Coatings | Dichroic multi-bandpass and multi-layer anti-reflection coatings |
| Filter cell | Black-anodised aluminium |
| Threads | M28.5 × 0.6; standard 1.25-inch filter thread |
| Cell height | 6mm total: 4mm shoulder and 2mm thread |
| Compatibility | Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory f/2.2 RASA optical system |
Important Safety Information
Warning: This is not a solar filter.
Never use this filter to observe or image the Sun and never point Celestron Origin at the Sun without appropriate specialist solar equipment covering the complete front aperture.
Avoid touching the optical surfaces. Remove loose dust with a blower or optical brush and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions when wet cleaning is necessary.
Instruction Manual
The official manual includes installation, care and specification information in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.