Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 8SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering impressive views at an economical price.
Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st Century
In the 1970s, the classic Celestron 8 brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the world’s premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestron’s proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers.
Four decades later, we’ve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founder’s intent.
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.
Optical DesignSchmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture203.2mm (8")
Focal Length2032mm (80")
Focal Ratio10
Focal Length of Eyepiece 125mm (0.98")
Magnification of Eyepiece 181x
FinderscopeStarPointer
Star Diagonal1.25"
MOUNT INFO:
Mount TypeSingle Fork Arm Altazimuth
TripodSteel (sku 93593)
Power Requirements8-AA batteries (not included)
Highest Useful Magnification480x
Lowest Useful Magnification29x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude14
Resolution (Rayleigh)0.69 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes)0.57 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye)843x
Apparent Field of View0.63°
Linear Field of View (@1000 yds)33 ft (10 m)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction64mm (2.5")
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter31%
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area9.77%
Optical CoatingsStarbright XLT
Optical Tube Length432mm (17")
Total Telescope Kit Weight33 lbs (15 kg)
Tripod Weight9 lbs (4.08 kg)
Slew SpeedsNine slew speeds
Tracking RatesSidereal, Solar and Lunar
Tracking ModesAlt-Az, EQ North & EQ South
Alignment ProceduresSkyAlign, Auto 2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Solar System Align
Communication PortsRS-232 communication port on hand control, Autoguider port, Aux port
Computer Hand ControlDouble line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display with 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
Database40,000 objects, 200 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
SoftwareStarry Night Special Edition
