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Explore the wonders of the universe with Celestron’s NexStar 8SE, a cutting-edge orange-tube telescope that seamlessly blends advanced features and superior optics. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned astronomers, this telescope delivers breathtaking views at an unbeatable price.
Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century
Rediscover Celestron’s founder Tom Johnson's vision, reimagined for the 21st century. The NexStar 8SE pays homage to the classic Celestron 8 telescope from the 1970s, bringing astronomy to the masses. With Celestron's proprietary Schmidt corrector plates, enjoy unparalleled views and maximum portability. Our commitment to high-quality, affordable optical instruments continues to inspire amateur astronomers worldwide.
Big Mirror, Small Price
Featuring an impressive 8-inch aperture, the NexStar 8SE unveils intricate details in celestial objects. Witness Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands, the Great Red Spot, and explore beyond the solar system to discover galaxies and star clusters. Immerse yourself in the Moon's craters and geographic features like never before.
Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount
Experience the convenience of the revolutionary single fork arm mount, designed for portability and quick setup. Break down the NexStar 8SE into lightweight, compact pieces for easy transport. The sturdy construction and high-quality components ensure precise pointing and tracking accuracy, effortlessly controlled with the included NexStar+ hand control.
Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You
Aligning your telescope is a breeze with SkyAlign – a simple 1-2-3 process. For added convenience, attach the StarSense AutoAlign for automatic alignment. The NexStar SE grows with you, accommodating high-tech accessories like SkyQ Link for iPhone or iPad control, and SkySync for GPS functionality.
For enthusiasts in astroimaging, the NexStar SE is Fastar-compatible, offering ultra-fast, wide-field imaging. Capture stunning planetary images with the NexStar 8SE paired with NexImage cameras. Whether it's your first observation or years into your journey, the NexStar SE stands as your trusted companion in exploring the cosmos.
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Aperture: | 203.2mm (8") |
| Focal Length: | 2032mm (80") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/10 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 81x |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 480x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 29x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 14 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 0.69 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | 0.57 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 843x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 64mm (2.5") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 31% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 9.77% |
| Optical Coatings: | Starbright XLT |
| Optical Tube Length: | 432mm (17") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 232mm (9.1") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| MOUNT INFO: | |
| Mount Type: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Instrument load capacity: | 12 lbs (5.44 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 965.2mm - 1422.4mm (38" - 56") |
| Tripod leg diameter: | 38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel |
| Mount Head Weight: | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 5°/second |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes: | Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South |
| GPS: | N/A |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 dovetail |
| Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 1x AUX Port |
| Autoguide Port: | Yes |
| USB Port: | Yes, Hand Control input |
| Power Requirements: | 8-AA batteries (not included) and 12 VDC-750 mA (Tip positive) |
| Motor Drive: | DC servo motors |
| Alignment Procedures: | SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge) |
| Periodic Error Correction: | No |
| Computerized Hand Control: | Double line, 18 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons |
| NexStar+ Database: | 40,000 objects, 200 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
| Software: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 24 lbs (10.88 kg) |
| Included Items: | Optical tube Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod Accessory Tray Star Pointer Finderscope NexStar+ Hand Control 25mm eyepiece Star Diagonal |
| Solar Warning |
Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. |
| California Residents | View Proposition 65 Warning |
I bought this scope after having a manual reflector scope fir many years that allowed me to really only see the moon.After attending a lot of astronomy club meetings and talking with a couple guys that do astrophotography, they recommended this scope starting out.Calibration is pretty easy, I have the best luck using the 3 star star align picking 3 stars that are further apart. After that, the go to gets pretty close to the object.This does great for planetary viewing. I have been able to see Saturn, Jupiter and 3 of its moons, close up on the moon and Orion nebula.If you want to get into deep sky astrophotography, you would need a equatorial mount, this one is an alt-az.I do recommend a lens kit to have a variety of eyepieces and a Barlow lens.
-when collimated precisely, you can tease out alot of detail. My faves are m13 (Hercules) and M57 (ring). -love the high mags on planets during calmer nights (need a 30mm 90degree mini finder) -super light weight set. Great for camping. -fun for planetary astrophotography -smooth stock focuser. -also great for land. Cons: -Less vibrant refractor colours that I grew to like. -less sharp pictures except under pristine sky conditions. -need a dew zapper or shield of some sort to hang in there without dewing out -cool down time is long -planets in Canada are low in sky and you benefit more from a smaller light bucket likes 4/6 incher.
I wanted to love this telescope, because I am very new to the telescope community. I borrowed an SLT 127.
Very nice scope! Does what it's suppose to do!
This is my first telescope. I checked out reviews online, and I know 8 inch is much better than 6 inch. But I don't have much space to store it and need my telescope to be more portable. It is a little bit hard to align red dot and the scope. But once aligned, it works great! Started with the moon for some practice. The view is wonderful.
Explore the wonders of the universe with Celestron’s NexStar 8SE, a cutting-edge orange-tube telescope that seamlessly blends advanced features and superior optics. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned astronomers, this telescope delivers breathtaking views at an unbeatable price.
Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century
Rediscover Celestron’s founder Tom Johnson's vision, reimagined for the 21st century. The NexStar 8SE pays homage to the classic Celestron 8 telescope from the 1970s, bringing astronomy to the masses. With Celestron's proprietary Schmidt corrector plates, enjoy unparalleled views and maximum portability. Our commitment to high-quality, affordable optical instruments continues to inspire amateur astronomers worldwide.
Big Mirror, Small Price
Featuring an impressive 8-inch aperture, the NexStar 8SE unveils intricate details in celestial objects. Witness Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands, the Great Red Spot, and explore beyond the solar system to discover galaxies and star clusters. Immerse yourself in the Moon's craters and geographic features like never before.
Revolutionary Single Fork Arm Mount
Experience the convenience of the revolutionary single fork arm mount, designed for portability and quick setup. Break down the NexStar 8SE into lightweight, compact pieces for easy transport. The sturdy construction and high-quality components ensure precise pointing and tracking accuracy, effortlessly controlled with the included NexStar+ hand control.
Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with You
Aligning your telescope is a breeze with SkyAlign – a simple 1-2-3 process. For added convenience, attach the StarSense AutoAlign for automatic alignment. The NexStar SE grows with you, accommodating high-tech accessories like SkyQ Link for iPhone or iPad control, and SkySync for GPS functionality.
For enthusiasts in astroimaging, the NexStar SE is Fastar-compatible, offering ultra-fast, wide-field imaging. Capture stunning planetary images with the NexStar 8SE paired with NexImage cameras. Whether it's your first observation or years into your journey, the NexStar SE stands as your trusted companion in exploring the cosmos.
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Aperture: | 203.2mm (8") |
| Focal Length: | 2032mm (80") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/10 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 25mm (.98") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 81x |
| Finderscope: | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
| Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
| Highest Useful Magnification: | 480x |
| Lowest Useful Magnification: | 29x |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude: | 14 |
| Resolution (Rayleigh): | 0.69 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes): | 0.57 arc seconds |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): | 843x |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction: | 64mm (2.5") |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: | 31% |
| Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: | 9.77% |
| Optical Coatings: | Starbright XLT |
| Optical Tube Length: | 432mm (17") |
| Optical Tube Diameter: | 232mm (9.1") |
| Optical Tube Weight: | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Dovetail: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| MOUNT INFO: | |
| Mount Type: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Instrument load capacity: | 12 lbs (5.44 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 965.2mm - 1422.4mm (38" - 56") |
| Tripod leg diameter: | 38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel |
| Mount Head Weight: | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 5°/second |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes: | Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South |
| GPS: | N/A |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 dovetail |
| Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 1x AUX Port |
| Autoguide Port: | Yes |
| USB Port: | Yes, Hand Control input |
| Power Requirements: | 8-AA batteries (not included) and 12 VDC-750 mA (Tip positive) |
| Motor Drive: | DC servo motors |
| Alignment Procedures: | SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge) |
| Periodic Error Correction: | No |
| Computerized Hand Control: | Double line, 18 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons |
| NexStar+ Database: | 40,000 objects, 200 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
| Software: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 24 lbs (10.88 kg) |
| Included Items: | Optical tube Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod Accessory Tray Star Pointer Finderscope NexStar+ Hand Control 25mm eyepiece Star Diagonal |
| Solar Warning |
Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. |
| California Residents | View Proposition 65 Warning |
