Product Overview
The world's most beloved telescope! The classic, 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain revolutionized amateur astronomy in the 1970s. Now, the iconic orange tube design is updated with all the latest features to provide the best stargazing experience for beginners and experienced observers alike.
Large, 8-inch aperture with excellent light-gathering ability provides spectacular views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky objects like the Whirlpool Galaxy and Hercules Globular Cluster.
Fully automated, GoTo mount with database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locates and tracks objects for you.
SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you are unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any three bright objects.
Unique single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all break down into separate components for easy transport and quick assembly
BIG MIRROR, SMALL PRICE
With a full 8 inches of aperture, the 8SE reveals details in even the faintest celestial objects. With this much light-gathering ability, you ll clearly observe Cassini s Division in Saturn s rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and the Great Red Spot. Beyond the solar system, your 8SE will show you hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. And don t forget the Moon you ll see craters and geographic features like never before.
REVOLUTIONARY SINGLE FORK ARM MOUNT
We know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. That s why Celestron s engineers created NexStar SE s unique, patented single fork arm mount. It s perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. What s more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. You ll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard.
Of course, it s what s inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with pushbutton ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible.
Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself!
ADVANCED FEATURES LET THE NEXSTAR SE GROW WITH YOU
The NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Control your telescope using your iPhone or iPad with our SkyQ Link, or add GPS functionality with SkySync.
If you re interested in astroimaging, the NexStar SE is Fastar-compatible for ultra-fast, wide field imaging. For planetary imaging, there s no better choice than a NexStar 8SE paired with one of our Skyris cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.
Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
Optical Design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
Aperture (mm) | 203.2 mm (8 in) |
Focal Length | 2032 mm (80 in) |
Focal Ratio | 10 |
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 (mm) | 25 mm (0.98 in) |
Magnification of Eyepiece 1 | 81 x |
Finderscope | StarPointer |
Star Diagonal | 1.25" |
Mount Type | Single Fork Arm Altazimuth |
Tripod | Steel (sku 93593) |
Power Requirements | 8-AA batteries (not included) |
Highest Useful Magnification | 480 x |
Lowest Useful Magnification | 29 x |
Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 14 |
Resolution (Rayleigh) | 0.69 arc seconds |
Resolution (Dawes) | 0.57 arc seconds |
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) | 843 x |
Apparent Field of View | 0.63 ° |
Linear Field of View (@1000 yds) | 33 ft (10 m) |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction | 2.5 in (64 mm) |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter | 31% |
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area | 9.77% |
Optical Coatings | Starbright XLT |
Optical Tube Length | 17 in (432 mm) |
Total Telescope Kit Weight | 33 lbs (15 kg) |
Tripod Weight | 9 lbs (4.08 kg) |
Slew Speeds | Nine slew speeds |
Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
Tracking Modes | Alt-Az, EQ North & EQ South |
Alignment Procedures | SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Solar System Align |
Communication Ports | RS-232 communication port on hand control, Autoguider port, Aux port |
Computer Hand Control | Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons |
Database | 40,000 objects, 200 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects |
Warranty | 2-year Telescope Warranty |