8 inches of light-gathering aperture doesn't get more portable than this!
An 8 inch telescope is the right amount of aperture for viewing just about anything in the night sky. This telescope sets up and breaks down quickly (check out the video) and is great for taking to dark sky locations.
The largest of the NexStar SE family with 78% more light gathering than a 6-inch model, the Celestron NexStar 8 SE will enable you to see deep into the universe. The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestron’s classic 8-inch optics. The Celestron NexStar 8 SE features Schmidt-Cassegrain 8-inch aperture optics with Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings and a powerful 2,032mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio.
The Celestron NexStar 8 SE has all the same features as Celestron’s most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including the revolutionary SkyAlign™ alignment technology, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000 celestial objects and easy to use hand control.
Plug the optional CN-16 GPS Accessory into NexStar’s auxiliary port and download data from orbiting GPS satellites for truly quick and easy alignments. The universe may be full of mysteries, but using the NexStar 8 SE isn’t one of them.
In the tradition of Celestron's famous orange optical tubes, the new Celestron NexStar SE family combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with state-of-the-art features including a fully computerized operating system, flash-upgradable hand control, superior StarBright XLT coatings, the revolutionary SkyAlign™ telescope-alignment software, and much more.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer looking for a portable scope with advanced features, or just starting your astronomy adventure and looking for an easy way to enjoy the night sky, a Celestron NexStar SE telescope will help you take a closer look.
Every Celestron NexStar SE telescope includes a version of The Sky® software Level 1 Planetarium Software for exploring the Universe on your PC and printing out custom star charts of the sky. In addition, you receive the Celestron NexRemote software that allows you to operate your telescope via your PC. Software package valued at over $100 included free with your NexStar SE Telescope!
Celestron's Revolutionary SkyAlign telescope alignment system
The days of complicated telescope assembly and setup are over. Celestron NexStar SE telescopes can be set up in a matter of minutes with no tools required!
Using Celestron's patented SkyAlign telescope alignment technology, simply input the date, time, and location into the hand control, then point the telescope at any three bright celestial objects and the telescope does the rest. You do not need to know the names of the stars; you can pick the moon or bright planets.
General Features for the Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
- 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- SE combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with the latest state-of-the-art features
- StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
- Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube, and accessory tray for no-tool setup
- Celestron's unique patented single fork arm with integral hand control design provides a rigid and smooth operating structure for the optical tube
- StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
- Sturdy computerized altazimuth mount
- Ultra-sturdy steel tripod with accessory tray
- Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky
Computerized Auto-Locating GoTo Technology
- Proven NexStar computer control technology
- 40,000 object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
- Flash-upgradable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
- Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
- DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes
- Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography
- Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
- NexRemote telescope control software and RS-232 cable included for advanced control of your telescope via computer
- GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory
Astrophotography with the Celestron NexStar SE Telescopes
To connect your NexStar 8SE Telescope to your camera you have a few options. For DSLR users, simply get the Celestron T-Adapter for Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes and the matching T-Ring for your specific DSLR camera.
For close-up lunar and planetary images you may want to select the Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager, this camera is simple to use and can take amazing images of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and our Moon.
Using the Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
The NexStar 8SE is powered in the field by 8 AA batteries. How long the batteries last is highly variable. The more objects you have the telescopes slew to and the longer your observing sessions are will vary how long the batteries last. If you are using your telescope within reach of an AC power outlet, the Celestron AC adapter is available. For portable power you have choices of a Car Battery Cable, or the Celestron PowerTank.
Some users may live in areas where getting to a dark sky location requires travel. For this we recommend the Jim's Mobile Hard Case. For when your using the telescope from a light-polluted sky location, we recommend trying the Celestron UHC/LPR Telescope Filter.
Selecting Eyepieces for the Celestron 8SE Telescope
The NexStar 8SE Telescope includes a 25mm (81x the naked eye) eyepiece. This eyepiece is great to get you started with your new telescope, but to complete the viewing experience you will want to get more eyepieces. We offer a wide range of telescope eyepieces to choose from. The NexStar 8SE Telescope comes standard ready for 1.25 Inch Format telescope eyepieces. Celestron offers a package Eyepiece and Filter Kit filled with 1.25 Inch Format eyepieces and filters. If you would like to upgrade further to the larger 2 Inch Format eyepieces, Celestron offers a 2 Inch Eyepiece and Filter Kit that will convert your telescope to use 2 Inch Format eyepieces for wider fields of view.
