Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope & Mount
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- Large 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics
- F/10 facal ratio & 2032mm focal length
- Fully computerized GoTo mount
- Database of 40,000+ celestial objects
- Fast and easy alignment with SkyAlign
- Portable and user-friendly design
- FarStar compatible
Explore the Night Sky with the Celestron NexStar 8SE
Experience the wonders of the night sky with the Celestron NexStar 8SE. This iconic orange-tube telescope pairs an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical design with modern GoTo technology for detailed, automated observing and imaging.
As the largest scope in the NexStar SE series, it gathers over 1.5× more light than the 6SE, bringing out crisp planetary details and stunning deep-sky objects.
Portable, powerful, and easy to use, the 8SE is perfect as your first serious telescope or as an upgrade from a smaller instrument.
NexStar 8SE Highlights
Powerful 8-Inch Optics
The NexStar 8SE features an 8-inch (203mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system with a 2032 mm focal length (f/10). Its folded SCT design delivers a long focal length in a compact tube that’s easy to carry and store. Celestron’s StarBright XLT coatings maximize light transmission for sharp, high-contrast images.
Quick & Easy Alignment
Getting started is simple with Celestron’s SkyAlign technology. Just point the telescope at any three bright objects and the system aligns itself in minutes. Add the optional StarSense AutoAlign accessory, and the telescope handles the entire process automatically.
Fully Automated GoTo Mount
The computerized fork arm mount and NexStar+ USB hand controller give you access to a database of 40,000+ celestial objects. Choose a target, and the mount automatically slews and tracks it, keeping objects centered for as long as you want to observe. With the Sky Tour option, the telescope even suggests the best sights for your location and time.
Built-In Wedge for Astrophotography
The NexStar 8SE includes a built-in wedge that lets you try short-exposure astrophotography. A wedge tilts the telescope so its optical axis lines up with Earth’s rotation. This allows the mount to track the sky more like an equatorial mount, reducing field rotation that normally blurs long exposures on an alt-azimuth setup.
With the wedge, you can capture sharp photos of the Moon and planets using a DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera. Bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, and Andromeda Galaxy are also within reach for short exposures.
The 8SE isn’t designed for long-exposure deep-sky imaging, but the wedge is a great way to learn astrophotography basics. It gives you the chance to practice with cameras, exposures, and image stacking before upgrading to a German equatorial mount for more advanced work.
Fastar-Compatible for Wide-Field Imaging
The NexStar 8SE supports Fastar/HyperStar systems, allowing you to convert the telescope to f/2 for ultra-fast, wide-field astrophotography. This makes it one of the most versatile scopes for beginners interested in growing into astrophotography.
Powerful Visuals, High Magnification
The NexStar 8SE delivers sharp, detailed views across a wide range of magnifications. With the included eyepiece, you’ll start at 81×, perfect for crisp views of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud belts, and the rugged surface of the Moon.
Swap in shorter focal length eyepieces or a Barlow lens to push magnification up to about 480× under ideal conditions. At these powers, you’ll see fine planetary details like Cassini’s Division in Saturn’s rings and the Great Red Spot on Jupiter.
For wide-field observing, pair the 8SE with a longer focal length eyepiece. This opens up sweeping views of star clusters, glowing nebulae, and even galaxies such as the Whirlpool, where its spiral arms begin to show under dark skies.
Portable & Lightweight Design
The NexStar 8SE is easy to take anywhere. Weighing just over 30 lbs (13.6 kg) fully assembled, it breaks down into separate components for quick setup and transport. The optical tube weighs only 12 lbs (5.4 kg), so it’s manageable for trips to your favorite dark-sky sites.
Stable Tripod with Accessory Tray
The sturdy stainless steel tripod keeps the mount steady, even at high magnifications. The integrated accessory tray provides a convenient place to hold eyepieces and small accessories while you observe.
Expandable with Celestron Accessories
The NexStar 8SE is part of Celestron’s ecosystem of smart accessories. Control your telescope from a smartphone or tablet with the SkyPortal WiFi module, add GPS functionality with SkySync, or improve planetary imaging with a motorized focuser. Dew heater rings and other upgrades keep your telescope performing its best.
Safety Warnings
- Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or through the telescope (unless using a proper solar filter). Permanent eye damage may occur.
- Never project the Sun’s image onto any surface; internal heat can damage the optic and accessories.
- Never leave the telescope unsupervised. Ensure an adult familiar with proper operation is present, especially around children.
Specifications
Manufacturer Part Number: 11069
Optical Tube
- Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
- Aperture: 8" (203.2 mm)
- Focal Length: 2032 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/10
- Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25 mm
- Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 81×
- Finderscope: StarPointer™ Red Dot Finderscope
- Star Diagonal: 1.25" Star Diagonal
- Highest Useful Magnification: 480×
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 29×
- Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14
- Resolution (Rayleigh): 0.69 Arc Seconds
- Resolution (Dawes): 0.57 Arc Seconds
- Light Gathering Power (Compared To Human Eye): 843×
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 64 mm
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction By Diameter: 31%
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction By Area: 9.77%
- Optical Coatings: Starbright XLT
- Optical Tube Length: 432 mm
- Optical Tube Diameter: 232 mm
- Optical Tube Weight: 12 lbs (5.4kg)
- Dovetail: CG-5 Dovetail Bar
Mount
- Mount Type: Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
- Instrument Load Capacity: 12 lbs (5.44kg)
- Height Adjustment Range (Includes Mount And Tripod): 38"–56" (965.2–1422.4 mm)
- Tripod Leg Diameter: 1.5" (38.1 mm) Stainless Steel
- Mount Head Weight: 11 lbs (5kg)
- Accessory Tray: Yes
- Tripod Weight: 9 lbs (4.08kg)
- 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 (Purchased seperately)
- Dovetail Compatibility: CG-5 Dovetail
- Number Of Auxiliary Ports: 1× AUX Port
- Autoguide Port: Yes
- USB Port: Yes, Hand Control Input
- Power Requirements: 8× AA Batteries (Not Included) & 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 LCD 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 (10.88kg)
| Manufacturer | Celestron |
|---|---|
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free Contiguous US Shipping |
| Telescope Focal Length | 2001 - 2500mm |
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
- Optical Tube
- Single Fork Arm Mount
- Tripod
- Accessory Tray
- StarPointer Finderscope
- NexStar+ Hand Control
- 25 mm Eyepiece
- Star Diagonal
- Large 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics
- F/10 facal ratio & 2032mm focal length
- Fully computerized GoTo mount
- Database of 40,000+ celestial objects
- Fast and easy alignment with SkyAlign
- Portable and user-friendly design
- FarStar compatible
Explore the Night Sky with the Celestron NexStar 8SE
Experience the wonders of the night sky with the Celestron NexStar 8SE. This iconic orange-tube telescope pairs an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical design with modern GoTo technology for detailed, automated observing and imaging.
As the largest scope in the NexStar SE series, it gathers over 1.5× more light than the 6SE, bringing out crisp planetary details and stunning deep-sky objects.
Portable, powerful, and easy to use, the 8SE is perfect as your first serious telescope or as an upgrade from a smaller instrument.
NexStar 8SE Highlights
Powerful 8-Inch Optics
The NexStar 8SE features an 8-inch (203mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system with a 2032 mm focal length (f/10). Its folded SCT design delivers a long focal length in a compact tube that’s easy to carry and store. Celestron’s StarBright XLT coatings maximize light transmission for sharp, high-contrast images.
Quick & Easy Alignment
Getting started is simple with Celestron’s SkyAlign technology. Just point the telescope at any three bright objects and the system aligns itself in minutes. Add the optional StarSense AutoAlign accessory, and the telescope handles the entire process automatically.
Fully Automated GoTo Mount
The computerized fork arm mount and NexStar+ USB hand controller give you access to a database of 40,000+ celestial objects. Choose a target, and the mount automatically slews and tracks it, keeping objects centered for as long as you want to observe. With the Sky Tour option, the telescope even suggests the best sights for your location and time.
Built-In Wedge for Astrophotography
The NexStar 8SE includes a built-in wedge that lets you try short-exposure astrophotography. A wedge tilts the telescope so its optical axis lines up with Earth’s rotation. This allows the mount to track the sky more like an equatorial mount, reducing field rotation that normally blurs long exposures on an alt-azimuth setup.
With the wedge, you can capture sharp photos of the Moon and planets using a DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera. Bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, and Andromeda Galaxy are also within reach for short exposures.
The 8SE isn’t designed for long-exposure deep-sky imaging, but the wedge is a great way to learn astrophotography basics. It gives you the chance to practice with cameras, exposures, and image stacking before upgrading to a German equatorial mount for more advanced work.
Fastar-Compatible for Wide-Field Imaging
The NexStar 8SE supports Fastar/HyperStar systems, allowing you to convert the telescope to f/2 for ultra-fast, wide-field astrophotography. This makes it one of the most versatile scopes for beginners interested in growing into astrophotography.
Powerful Visuals, High Magnification
The NexStar 8SE delivers sharp, detailed views across a wide range of magnifications. With the included eyepiece, you’ll start at 81×, perfect for crisp views of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud belts, and the rugged surface of the Moon.
Swap in shorter focal length eyepieces or a Barlow lens to push magnification up to about 480× under ideal conditions. At these powers, you’ll see fine planetary details like Cassini’s Division in Saturn’s rings and the Great Red Spot on Jupiter.
For wide-field observing, pair the 8SE with a longer focal length eyepiece. This opens up sweeping views of star clusters, glowing nebulae, and even galaxies such as the Whirlpool, where its spiral arms begin to show under dark skies.
Portable & Lightweight Design
The NexStar 8SE is easy to take anywhere. Weighing just over 30 lbs (13.6 kg) fully assembled, it breaks down into separate components for quick setup and transport. The optical tube weighs only 12 lbs (5.4 kg), so it’s manageable for trips to your favorite dark-sky sites.
Stable Tripod with Accessory Tray
The sturdy stainless steel tripod keeps the mount steady, even at high magnifications. The integrated accessory tray provides a convenient place to hold eyepieces and small accessories while you observe.
Expandable with Celestron Accessories
The NexStar 8SE is part of Celestron’s ecosystem of smart accessories. Control your telescope from a smartphone or tablet with the SkyPortal WiFi module, add GPS functionality with SkySync, or improve planetary imaging with a motorized focuser. Dew heater rings and other upgrades keep your telescope performing its best.
Safety Warnings
- Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or through the telescope (unless using a proper solar filter). Permanent eye damage may occur.
- Never project the Sun’s image onto any surface; internal heat can damage the optic and accessories.
- Never leave the telescope unsupervised. Ensure an adult familiar with proper operation is present, especially around children.
Specifications
Manufacturer Part Number: 11069
Optical Tube
- Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
- Aperture: 8" (203.2 mm)
- Focal Length: 2032 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/10
- Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25 mm
- Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 81×
- Finderscope: StarPointer™ Red Dot Finderscope
- Star Diagonal: 1.25" Star Diagonal
- Highest Useful Magnification: 480×
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 29×
- Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14
- Resolution (Rayleigh): 0.69 Arc Seconds
- Resolution (Dawes): 0.57 Arc Seconds
- Light Gathering Power (Compared To Human Eye): 843×
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 64 mm
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction By Diameter: 31%
- Secondary Mirror Obstruction By Area: 9.77%
- Optical Coatings: Starbright XLT
- Optical Tube Length: 432 mm
- Optical Tube Diameter: 232 mm
- Optical Tube Weight: 12 lbs (5.4kg)
- Dovetail: CG-5 Dovetail Bar
Mount
- Mount Type: Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
- Instrument Load Capacity: 12 lbs (5.44kg)
- Height Adjustment Range (Includes Mount And Tripod): 38"–56" (965.2–1422.4 mm)
- Tripod Leg Diameter: 1.5" (38.1 mm) Stainless Steel
- Mount Head Weight: 11 lbs (5kg)
- Accessory Tray: Yes
- Tripod Weight: 9 lbs (4.08kg)
- 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 (Purchased seperately)
- Dovetail Compatibility: CG-5 Dovetail
- Number Of Auxiliary Ports: 1× AUX Port
- Autoguide Port: Yes
- USB Port: Yes, Hand Control Input
- Power Requirements: 8× AA Batteries (Not Included) & 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 LCD 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 (10.88kg)
| Manufacturer | Celestron |
|---|---|
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free Contiguous US Shipping |
| Telescope Focal Length | 2001 - 2500mm |
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
- Optical Tube
- Single Fork Arm Mount
- Tripod
- Accessory Tray
- StarPointer Finderscope
- NexStar+ Hand Control
- 25 mm Eyepiece
- Star Diagonal
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope & Mount # 11069