Representing the largest aperture in the series and drawing in more light to see deeper into space than smaller versions, Celestron NexStar 8SE 203mm Schmidt-Cassegrain Kitis a powerful yet portable scope that can be used for observing everything from the Moon and planets to deep-sky objects like stars, galaxies, and nebulae, while maintaining the user-friendly interface of the SE series. Using Celestron's proprietary StarBright XLT multi-coating system, light transmission is increased throughout the entire optical path with anti-reflection multi-coated lenses, highly reflective multi-coated mirrors, and crown optical glass elements. While the focal ratio is a relatively slow f/10, the mount's precision tracking system allows it to be a competent shorter-exposure astrophotography imaging platform for the Moon and planets.

Driving the dual servo motors on the mount is the brain of the NexStar 8SE: The iconic NexStar+ computer hand controller. Packed with 40,000+ celestial objects, it can hold up to 100 additional user-defined destinations and is updatable via the Celestron website. It has multiple alignment procedures to get you observing fast, including the super-easy SkyAlign system. Capable of being used in the northern or southern hemispheres, the NexStar has sidereal, lunar, and solar tracking speeds to accurately follow near and deep-sky objects, plus nine slew speeds and the ability to automatically trigger a camera's shutter release for Fastar or piggyback wide-field photography or conventional prime-focus astrophotography.

8" NexStar 8 SE SCT Telescope    2032mm Focal Length, f/10 Focal Ratio    Computerized/Motorized Fork Mount    SkyPortal Wi-Fi Module    Adjustable Stainless Steel Tripod    Power Tank 12-Volt Power Supply    12 VDC Outlets with White and Red Lights    Moon Filter & Light Pollution Filter

• 8" (203.2mm) aperture
• f/10 focal ratio
• 2032mm focal length
• Crown optical glass primary mirror
• StarBright XLT optical coatings: Multi-layer aluminum/SiO2 (quartz)/TiO2 (titanium dioxide) mirror coatings with flat reflectivity across the light spectrum for both astrophotography/astroimaging and visual observation
• Multi-layer MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide) anti-reflective lens coatings
• High-transmission water white glass corrector lens with 97.4% light transmission
• Internal focusing mechanism
• Resolution: 0.69 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.57 arcsec (Dawes)
• Secondary mirror obstruction: 2.5"; 31% by diameter; 9.77% by area
• Fastar capability: Secondary mirror can be removed and a DSLR or imaging rig mounted in its place for fast wide-field astrophotography

• 2-line, 16-character LCD display
• 19 fiber optic backlit red LED buttons
• Database of over 40,000 celestial objects plus 100 user defined
• Automatically slew to planets, stars, constellations, and a variety of catalogs
• Camera control: For piggyback wide-field or conventional astrophotography through the optical tube assembly, the controller can automatically trigger the shutter release to capture the image
• Anti-backlash compensation programs out play between gears for more precise tracking
• Tour Mode: Shows a selection of the most popular objects for the time and date you are observing
• Constellation Tour: Allows you to take a tour of all the best objects within a particular constellation
• Alignment procedures: SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star, 1-Star, 2-Star, and Solar System
• SkyAlign alignment: Takes minutes, with minimal effort or experience—point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope does the rest
• Nine slew speeds: 5°/sec, 3°/sec, 1°/sec, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x, and 64x
• Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates for observing the fast-moving Moon, to slower-moving deep-space subjects
• Tracking modes: Alt-Az, EQ North, EQ South, Off (no tracking when using as a terrestrial spotting scope)
• RS-232 communication port allows for computer control
• Flash updatable via the Celestron website

• Solar system objects including the Sun, Moon, and planets
• Named objects
• Stars: Asterims, variable stars, double stars, named stars
• Caldwell catalog
• Messier catalog
• NGC catalog
• SAO catalog
• Constellations

Mount:

• Single-fork alt-az
• Dual-axis servo motors allow for precise tracking with virtually no vibration
• Motor resolution: 0.26 arcsec
• Optical encoders track mount movement to improve tracking and GoTo accuracy while allowing the mount to maintain alignment when moved manually
• Communication ports: Autoguider port, Aux port, hand controller
• Runs on eight user-supplied AA batteries or optional 12 VDC power supply

• Stainless steel legs
• Adjustable height accommodates a variety of observation positions or users
• Tray holds accessories such as eyepieces and filters and adds stability and vibration reduction
• Weight: 10 pounds

Eyepiece:

• 1.25"-diameter barrel
• 25mm focal length produces 81x magnification
• Anti-reflection multi-coated glass improves color rendition and contrast
• Threaded barrel accepts most 1.25" astronomical filters
• Fold-down rubber eyecup for use with or without eyeglasses
• 33' field of view at 1000 yards

• 1.25" input and output accepts most 1.25" astronomical eyepieces and accessories
• 90° angle puts head in a comfortable position when observing at or near the zenith
• Corrects view horizontally, but not vertically

• Projects a single red dot in line of sight
• Unmagnified view ensures a wide field of view to make finding objects faster and star-hopping navigation easier

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What is the year of manufacture of the 8SE, before or post 2016?

A: The Scope started being Manufactured in 2008.

Q: 2. Adapters for Olympus camera

A: I would need to know exactly what Olympus Camera you have to make the proper adapter recommendation. Can you please provide that information?

Q: 3. Does this kit include an autoguider for long-exposure astrophotography or does that have to be purchased separately?

A: There are a number of points you'll need to consider when buying this telescope for long exposure astrophotography. 1. You would need to buy the autoguider separately.2. You would also need to buy a guide scope or an off axis guider to attach the autoguider. A guide scope is smaller telescope that usually sits on the top of your main one. The autoguider connects to it. Unfortunately, with Schmidt Cassegrain Telescopes (SCT) there is a lot of mirror flex, leading to the two scopes moving out of sync. Even when using a guide scope, you may still see star trails in long exposures on SCT. An off axis guider would combat this issue by allowing you to attach both the camera and the autoguider to the main telescope. Both camera's look at the same image so you'll always get round stars. Off Axis Guiders cant be used easily with focal reducers, should you ever want to go down that path.3. The final point is that this is an Alt Az mount. Alt Az mounts dont move based on the curvature of the earth so the image youre looking at will slowly move out of range. This will means that if you do decide to take a photo, the maximum exposure you'd get would be around up to 20 seconds. You can get around this by purchasing a wedge or buying a telescope on an equatorial mount.Long exposure astrophotgraphy can rarely be done on a budget. If you're wanting to take some basic photos of moon, stars, planets and the even some bright Deep Space objects (Orion Nebula), you can do that without an autoguider. A camera, with an attachment to your telescope, would give you exposures up to 20 seconds. Anything over that and you'll enter a world of obsession where you spend all your money trying to upgrade and change your equipment to get the best images possible.

Q: 4. How well does the wedge option work? I would like to occasionally take long video clips to stack into one image. I'd get an EQ mount but it seems like a hassle.

A: Very well. Adding a Wedge for the NexStar 6/8SE #93665, will allow the mount to track equatorially, thereby eliminating field rotation for long exposure astrophotography. This wedge was tailored for the NexStar SE's size and styling and provides a stable platform.

Q: 5. how does the wifi work? and is there a wedge that can be used for long exposure?

A: The Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module that is included with this kit plugs into the Hand Control or AUX port and begins to generate it's own WiFi signal to directly connect to your mobile device without the need for a router. The SkyPortal module works in conjunction with the free SkyPortal mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The app features a database of over 100,000 objects with astroimages and audio descriptions of hundreds of them including the history, mythology, and key features of them. It can assist with the telescope alignment and if you hold the screen up to sky, it will identify the objects based on your location, date, and time. The Celestron EQ Wedge for NexStar 6/8SE Evolution Telescopes would be the recommended wedge for this telescope: https://bhpho.to/2PfVBIX

Q: 6. Overview says it comes with a 5 piece eyepiece set(Deluxe accessory kit) but the pic doesn't show that. Which is it?

A: Included In the Box would be the following Celestron NexStar 8SE 203mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope Celestron StarPointer Finderscope 25mm Eyepiece 90° Star Diagonal Tripod with Accessory Tray Limited 2-Year Warranty Celestron PowerTank 7-Amp 12 VDC Power Supply 110V/220V Switchable Universal AC Adapter Cigarette Lighter Adapter Red Filter Cap Limited 2-Year Warranty Celestron AC to DC Power Adapter Celestron Moon Filter (1.25") - Reduces Excessive Light Reflected From the Moon for Better Viewing Limited 1-Year Warranty Celestron UHC (Ultra High Contrast) LPR Filter (1.25") - Reduces Transmission of Wavelengths of Artificially-Produced Light Limited 1-Year Warranty Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module Limited 2-Year Warranty

Q: 7. What adapters available for attaching a camera to this telescope?

A: That depends on what camera. For a Canon you need a T Adapter, 93633-A and SLR camara adapter 93419. If you intend on using eyepieces with your camera you may want to get the extender, 93643.

Q: 8. Does this come with a case for storage/moving it?

A: I bought a padded bag with shoulder straps that holds my 8se/tripod/mount for $94.

Q: 9. can I use the telescope on a regular video tripod?

A: This telescope can only be used with the included proprietary tripod.

Q: 10. will it mount to a Advanced VX?

A: Yes. All of the Celestron SCT, Matsukov-Cassegrain, and other catadipotric optiocal tube assemblies use the same dovetail mounting method.