Sale Price:
$1,079.00
NexStar 8SE Telescope, Tripod, 25mm eyepiece, Finderscope, NexRemote software, "The-Sky" software
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. The Celestron NexStar 8 SE 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 Telescope 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 Telescope 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 Telescope 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.
The universe may be full of mysteries, but using the NexStar 8 SE isn’t one of them.
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!
General Features for the Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
Computerized Auto-Locating GoTo Technology
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.
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. The NexStar 8SE Telescope comes standard ready for 1.25 Inch Format telescope eyepieces.
Recommended Usage
Astrophotography , Viewing Galaxies/Star Clusters , Viewing Nebulae , Viewing the Moon , Viewing the Planets
Warranty
2-Year Limited
Features
Alt-Az Mount , GoTo
Brand
Celestron
Weight Complete
33 lbs.
Finderscope
StarPointer
Lens Coating
StarBright XLT
GPS
No
GoTo
Yes
Good for Astrophotography
Yes
Telescopes Series
Celestron NexStar SE Telescopes
Optical Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture
203mm
Focal Length
2032mm
Focal Ratio
f/10
Mount Design
Single Fork Arm-Altazimuth
Eyepiece 1
25mm (81.28x)
Highest Useful Magnification
480x
Limiting Magnitude
14
Resolution
.68 Arc Seconds
Resolving Power
.57 Arc Seconds
Star Diagonal
1.25 Inch
Object Database
40000 objects
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
Sweet Scope,but read for lessons learned
This is my first serious scope. I have had the 8SE for about three weeks now and it's time to give you my two-cents. It's been a learning curve, but if you take my...Read complete review
This is my first serious scope. I have had the 8SE for about three weeks now and it's time to give you my two-cents. It's been a learning curve, but if you take my advice, you will benefit from my trial-by-errors.
(1) The arrival: The scope arrived in one box. The box was fully intact and appeared to withstand transport very well.
(2) Initial inspection and set-up: The set-up of the 8SE is very easy. There are three main components: The tripod, the optical tube assembly (OTA) and the arm that connects the OTA to the tripod. Upon inspection everything appeared scratch and blemish free. The glass in the OTA looked free from debris and in perfect condition. Overall the construction is solid.
(3) First views: With the default eyepiece that came with the scope I zoomed over to Saturn and I about wet myself! What a view! It got even better when I barlowed (add a 2x barlow lens that doubles magnification) the 23mm default eyepiece. I also purchased the Celestron accessory eye piece kit (this is where I got my Barlow lense). I enjoyed a pretty good view of Mars as well, but it only looked like a small brown ball; it must be really far away right now. I must say the scope came perfectly collimated (means the primary mirror and the secondary mirror are perfectly aligned).
(4) Alignment: After viewing Saturn and Mars I decided to formally align the 8se for its "go to" capabilities. I used the sky align procedure where I was led to believe that I could choose any three stars and that would suffice. Well, after choosing three random bright stars, the 8se told me that it was a success! So I told it to slew back to Saturn. Well it was in the neighborhood but not in the field of view (FOV). I tried again and again but couldn't get it to actually go to something and have it placed in the FOV.
Over the next few weeks I continued to struggle with getting "perfect" alignment. I turned to the net and found a great support group. The group is found on that search engine that starts with the letter "y" and ends with two "o". I finally got it right! Last night I was slewing all over the sky using the 8se's tour feature and I was viewing Messier objects and nebula all night long. So after two weeks, here's what you need to know to get perfect alignment!
A. Despite what Celstron says, how level your scope is, is the least important factor in the process. Sure your scope needs to be somewhat level, and as long as it's balanced anywhere near the middle (use the button size leveler provided with the scope) you're good to go.
B. If you happen to see your city listed in the databank and it's within 50 miles of your location, you're good to go and choose that for your site-location. If not, you can get your EXACT GPS coordinates from that huge search engine that starts with the letter "G" and has two "o" in it. I was able to use their maps and actually get exact cords for my physical address here in Vermont.
C. Time: It's critical that you enter the exact time within 10 secs. or so. You can also get the EXACT time from the internet, don't rely on your watch as seconds matter.
D. Choice in stars: You should always use Sky Align (a three star alignment process) if you want the BEST results. Here's what I found works perfect every time: Always, start with Polaris (the North Star) for your first bright object. The scope will tell you to choose and center your 1st object. So slew over to Polaris and hit ENTER, then it will tell you to use the direction buttons for final alignment. So here's where you need to listen to me. After hearing different methods from different users, here's the majority view of how to get it perfect and I can verify it does just that. NOTE: This may only work if you are in the Northern hemisphere.
Once you have placed Polaris into the FOV and you have hit ENTER, you will need to lock it in. Use the hand controller and move Polaris into the North-west Quadrant of the FOV. Then you ONLY (This is CRUCIAL) want to use the DOWN and RIGHT direction buttons to place it in the middle of the eyepiece. It helps if you de-focus the star too, this should make it look like a big glazed donut! If you overshoot or have to use any other button besides DOWN and RIGHT to place it in the middle of the FOV, start over! Move it back to the North-west quadrant and do it again. Once you have centered the big-glazed donut in the middle using only the DOWN and RIGHT buttons, hit the ALIGN button. So it's a two-step process, first you find the star, then hit enter, and then you move it to the North-west quadrant of the eyepiece and use the DOWN and RIGHT buttons each until It's in the middle of the FOV and hit ALIGN.
After Polaris, find a star somewhere in the South portion of the sky and repeat the process, next your third star should either be in the west or east part of the sky; think of making as large of a triangle as possible but avoid those stars either super-duper high in the sky, or low in the sky. If you use higher-magnification eyepieces during this process, you are sure to get better results as your room for error will be smaller.
NOTE: Both your "go-to" properties in the "scope-set-up" menu, MUST be set to "positive." Since this is the default setting, if you don't touch it, it will already be that way.
If you follow those steps above, your scope will love you and you will love your scope! I was able to finally start viewing nebula and Messier objects. Although, they have very little if any contrast, you will be able to recognize them by their shapes. I have a UHTC-LP eyepiece on the way, I hear that's supposed to help with contrast, we'll see. I live in Vermont, but kind of on the outskirts of Burlington, which is our largest city; hence some light pollution.
(5) Must have accessories. The reason I gave the scope 4 instead of 5 stars is because of what wasn't included. Running on batteries is just not going to cut it on this beast. You have to buy either the power tank or the power extension cord. Since I run my scope from my wooden deck off my balcony, I use the power supply cord. Also, I had major vibrations when I first got my scope and immediately ordered the suppression pads, they made a major difference and cut it down to half maybe more. I also have a 8-24 zoom lens that has been a constant on my scope. This basically allows you to find an object and frame it by zooming in without having to swap out eyepieces. I love this… and you may too! The other reason, I didn't give it five stars is because the provided Sky software doesn't work with Vista. Instead they (Celestron) referred me to a sight where they wanted $300+ dollars for a version of the software compatible with Vista… sigh…
(6) Conclusion: I love this scope! I wish the directions would have told me that the 8se computer can be a bit touchy when aligning. I think they would benefit in more satisfied customers if they shared in their directions what the consensus has figured out with regard to getting perfect reliable alignment everytime. Nevertheless, the optics are beautiful! The scope is incredibly well-made and affordable! I'm already beginning to save up for a 14 inch… aperture fever! Catch it!
Thanks for reading and clear skies!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Still Learning
This is my first scope. I wanted something of a higher quality right away instead of a cheaper scope that I could not see enough with. I have tried the alignment process but have ...Read complete review
This is my first scope. I wanted something of a higher quality right away instead of a cheaper scope that I could not see enough with. I have tried the alignment process but have had problems, perhaps due to the scope not being perfectly level. Also tried fo algin on a nite with a bright moon and could not see a lot of other bright objects to align with. I will try again wjhen the moon goes down. The views of the moon were very nice,especially at the terminator line. I would recomend getting the AC adapter right away. I have read from other that this will chew up batteries and the are right. I have waited a long time for the chance to buy a good scope and I know that there is a learning curve. I have a friend in Arizona who has coached me through this. Thanks to [@] in Tucson.
Reviewed by 94 customers
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Comments about Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope:
How can one rate perfect service other than to say wonderful, dynamic,a dream come true.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope:
Placed my order early in the morning and got it the next day as promised. The person who I gave this to loved it and its a great all around telescope.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope:
My son is 8 years old and can align and use the goto features of this scope with ease. We use the 2 star align method and it works perfectly. I strongly recommend buying a different finder scope such as the Telrad. We bought the Meade 4000 set of eyepieces but have quickly started adding to that collection. Plain and simple: you will be amazed at the images you will see through this scope. However be prepared to spend some extra money on eyepieces, dew prevention, power ... etc.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope:
This is about as good as it can get in this price range. The setup locates and tracks accurately, has very good optics, is well made,(note that image shift while focusing is at a minimum)and Celestron provides good customer care. In addition, it is very easy to set up and use. If one needs help, Celestron satisfies that need via its online and video services.
Now, the stand looks odd, but it is very stable and light weight, coming in at about 35 pounds. If one is not interested in taking pics of Deep Space Objects than any other 8" SCT purchase is over kill in both an ecomonic sense and heft. I simply could not recommend a better 8" SCT for visual use.
Despite all of the good, there are a few drawbacks: One, the finder. I really prefer a finder of the optical variety. They function much better in an Urban area. Celestron choose to supply a red dot finder which is not very useful under moderately polluted skies. Two, the tubular legs assembly. The legs are held in place via friction provided by allenhead screws. Obviously this is a way for the company to save money, but the screws tend to work loose. If you are not careful a leg might fall off the stand when you pick it up. (This actually happened to me while I was setting up for a night of observation. That can be very unsettling.) Finally, when or if you loose power you cannot move the scope manually. It is well know that this series eats batteries, so I would recomment some type of outside power source. If you find yourself without power, that will effectively end your observing session. However, these problems are really minor, especally when compaired to the total package.
This scope/mount setup could be easily sufice as a beginner's scope, though I would hesitate to recommend that much of an economic out lay for a starter. At that, it is a very good setup for a moderately experienced observer who is interested in visual astronomey and perhaps just a few pics of the planets.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope:
I have tried the Sky Align at least 100 times with different and bright stars. I always start with Polaris and even use the directions from a very long review. It hasn't taken the Sky Align once. When I do Two Star or Two Star Auto Align then the scope doesn't work well. After about an hour it can't slew back to Polaris.
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Q1: Is this a Schmidt or a Maksutov? What does the 8 SE mean?
A: The Celeston NexStar 8SE telescope is a Schmidt-Cassegrain. SE stands for "Special Edition."
Q2: Can you clearly see galaxies and the planets in them?
A: Yes, you can see galaxies and planets clearly in the Celestron NexStar 8 SE. Your view will not be like the pictures from the Hubble Telescope, however. The Hubble is a much larger telescope and is located in space, where there is no atmosphere to distort or obscure your views.
Q3: Is the Nexstar 8 suitable for astro-imaging?
A: Yes, you can do astrophotography with the Celestron NexStar 8 SE telescope.
Q4: What do I need to get to use 2" eyepieces with this scope?
A: You'll need a 2-inch diagonal to use 2-inch eyepieces in the Celestron NexStar 8 SE telescope.
Q5: Using this telescope can you easily take clear pictures and upload to a computer for archiving?
A: Yes, the Celestron NexStar 8 SE will work seamlessly with most digital cameras and CCD imagers to capture images of the sky and transmit them to your computer.
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