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Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense
Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense

Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense

by Celestron
SKU CEL-12096
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$3,199.00 USD
$3,199.00 USD - $3,199.00 USD
$3,199.00 USD
$2,699.00 USD
$2,699.00 USD - $2,699.00 USD
$2,699.00 USD
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  • 8-inch (203.2mm) EdgeHD Aplanatic Optics
  • 2032mm Focal Length (f/10)
  • StarSense AutoAlign Technology
  • Integrated WiFi and 9.6V LiFePO4 Battery
  • Single Fork Arm GoTo Mount with 25 lb Capacity
  • 42mm Optimized Image Circle for Full-Frame Sensors
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See exactly how your targets fit with the Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense, on real sky survey data.

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See exactly what the Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense shows you, on real sky survey data.

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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense

    The Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense is a compact, portable and mechanically solid telescope that Celestron made for hours of serious visual observing and certain types of astroimaging. It pairs a 203.2mm EdgeHD optical tube with StarSense AutoAlign, integrated WiFi and an internal 9.6V lithium iron phosphate battery on a single fork arm mount with a 25 lb load capacity. Its f/10 optical system delivers a Dawes resolution of 0.57 arc seconds and gathers 843x more light than the human eye, reaching a limiting stellar magnitude of 14. With the built-in WiFi you can control it and its 40,000+ object database from a smartphone or tablet.

    8" EdgeHD Optics: A 0.57 Arc Second Flat-Field System

    EdgeHD is an aplanatic, flat-field Schmidt optical system that produces aberration-free images across a wide visual and photographic field of view. It reduces more than off-axis star coma: it provides an astrograph-quality flat focal plane all the way to the edge of the field, more than three times flatter than a standard Schmidt-Cassegrain. This guarantees visibly sharp stars across full frame sensors.

    StarBright XLT coatings are on every optical surface. Flexible tension mirror clutches hold the primary mirror in place after focusing and reduce image shift during long exposures, and cooling vents on the rear cell, each with a 50-mesh filter, let warm air out without letting dust in. Every EdgeHD is tested with a camera and artificial star before it ships.

    • StarBright XLT Coatings: Maximize light throughput across the visual and photographic spectrum for brighter, higher-contrast views.

    StarSense AutoAlign: Automatic Alignment

    StarSense is Celestron's patented technology that lets the telescope align itself with the night sky automatically. Its internal camera captures an image of the sky and identifies the stars in it; after repeating this a few times, it builds an accurate model of the sky. This gives you back the time you would have spent aligning the telescope.

    You can start the alignment from the included StarSense hand control or from the SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari app, then command the telescope to slew to your first object. You can add up to 10 additional alignment stars for the most accurate pointing.

    • Fully Automatic Alignment: The StarSense camera scans the sky and aligns the telescope with no user input required.
    • App-Integrated Control: Initiate the alignment process directly from the Celestron SkyPortal app on your smart device via the mount's built-in WiFi.

    NexStar Evolution Mount: 25 lb Capacity and Brass Worm Gears

    The single fork arm mount has an instrument load capacity of 25 lbs; the EdgeHD 8" tube weighs 14 lbs. It is the only fork-mounted telescope in its class with brass worm gears along with improved motors, which provide great tracking accuracy.

    Manual clutches on the altitude and azimuth axes let you move the telescope by hand; the manual warns not to unlock them once the telescope is aligned, or the alignment is lost. The mount has carry handles and 4 AUX ports, two on top of the fork and two on the bottom, and the hand control can use any of them.

    • 25 lb Instrument Capacity: Provides a stable platform for the 8" optical tube and additional imaging equipment.
    • 9 Slew Speeds: Up to 4° per second.

    Integrated Power & WiFi: 10 Hours of Cable-Free GoTo Control

    The built-in 9.6V, 4.5Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery has enough power for 10-hour astroimaging sessions. It is charged with the supplied AC adapter, has protection against overcharging, overdischarging and overheating, and the manual says that with reasonable care it should last thousands of charge cycles.

    The mount generates its own WiFi network, so you do not have to be connected to anything else to control it from the SkyPortal app on a smartphone or tablet. You can use the app to initiate the StarSense alignment, browse the 40,000-object database with its interactive planetarium interface, and command the telescope to GoTo any star, planet, or galaxy with a tap on your screen. A USB charge port on the mount can charge your smart device; set to Automatic, it switches off when the battery is low.

    • 10-Hour Internal Battery: The 9.6V LiFePO4 battery powers 10-hour sessions.
    • Built-in WiFi: Connects directly to your smart device for full wireless telescope control via the SkyPortal app.
    • USB Charge Port: Charges your phone or tablet from the mount.

    Visual Observing: 51x and 156x Out of the Box

    The two included 1.25" Plössl eyepieces, 40mm (51x) and 13mm (156x), are great for observing most any celestial object right out of the box.

    The included 1.25" star diagonal provides a comfortable 90-degree viewing angle, and the StarPointer Pro finderscope shows an illuminated bullseye that you center on your target. The highest useful magnification is 480x.

    • Two Plössl Eyepieces Included: A 40mm for low-power, wide-field views (51x) and a 13mm for high-power planetary detail (156x).
    • StarPointer Pro Finderscope: Shows an illuminated bullseye for centering targets.
    • 1.25" Star Diagonal: Included with a 1.25" visual back.

    Astroimaging: f/10 Native, f/7 Reduced, f/2 Fastar

    You can capture images of the Moon and planets by attaching any planetary imaging camera, and even experiment with imaging brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula with a DSLR. As you progress, the optional Wedge for NexStar Evolution turns the alt-azimuth mount into an equatorial setup for longer exposures. The mount has no autoguide port and no periodic error correction.

    The tube is Fastar compatible: the secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a third-party lens accessory for ultra-fast f/2 wide-field imaging. The optional EdgeHD 800 0.7x Reducer (#94242) brings the focal ratio to f/7 and keeps the flat-field and coma-free performance.

    • Equatorial Wedge-Ready: The optional Wedge for NexStar Evolution enables longer exposures.
    • Required Back Focus: The EdgeHD 800 delivers its best images 133.35mm behind the rear cell's 2"-24 tpi thread.

    Weights and Tripod

    The kit weighs 42 lbs in three parts: the 14 lb optical tube, the 16 lb mount head and the 12 lb tripod.

    The tripod has 38.1mm (1.5") stainless steel legs, and the height of mount and tripod adjusts from 47" to 69". The accessory tray sits over the central column with each of its three arms against a tripod leg, has an LED light you can dim from the hand control, and the tripod folds with the tray attached.

    • Stainless Steel Tripod: 1.5" diameter stainless steel legs.
    • Accessory Tray: Holds eyepieces and has an adjustable LED light.

  • What is the main advantage of the NexStar Evolution 8 EdgeHD with StarSense?

    Four features stand out: StarSense AutoAlign, EdgeHD optics, integrated WiFi and the internal LiFePO4 battery. StarSense aligns the telescope automatically, and the EdgeHD optics give a flat field that guarantees visibly sharp stars across full frame sensors.

    How does the integrated battery on the NexStar Evolution 8 HD perform?

    The integrated 9.6V, 4.5Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery is charged with the supplied AC adapter. That is enough power for 10-hour astroimaging sessions.

    Can I use the NexStar Evolution 8 HD for serious deep-sky astrophotography?

    You can experiment with imaging brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula with a DSLR. For longer exposures, the Wedge for NexStar Evolution turns the alt-azimuth mount into an equatorial setup. The mount has no autoguide port.

    Do I need the StarSense hand control if I have the SkyPortal app for the NexStar Evolution 8 HD?

    No. The StarSense hand control is included but is not necessary when using the NexStar Evolution with the app: the mount's WiFi lets SkyPortal run the StarSense alignment and slew to any object in the database.

    What is the purpose of the 42mm image circle on the Evolution 8 EdgeHD?

    It is the size of the corrected field specified for the EdgeHD 8". The flat focal plane guarantees visibly sharp stars across full frame sensors, and every EdgeHD is tested with a camera and artificial star before shipping.

    How portable is the entire Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 HD kit?

    The total kit weight is 42 lbs (19.05 kg), but it breaks down into three main components for transport: the optical tube (14 lbs), the mount head (16 lbs), and the tripod (12 lbs).

  • Optical Design EdgeHD
    Aperture 203.2mm (8")
    Focal Length 2032mm (80")
    Focal Ratio f/10
    Image Circle 42mm
    Optical Coatings StarBright XLT
    Highest Useful Magnification 480x
    Lowest Useful Magnification 29x
    Limiting Stellar Magnitude 14
    Resolution (Rayleigh) 0.69 arc seconds
    Resolution (Dawes) 0.57 arc seconds
    Light Gathering Power 843x (Compared to human eye)
    Secondary Mirror Obstruction 64mm (2.5")
    Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter 31%
    Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area 9.77%
    Optical Tube Aluminum
    Optical Tube Length 432mm (17")
    Optical Tube Weight 14 lbs (6.35 kg)
    Dovetail CG-5 Dovetail bar
    Eyepiece 1 40mm Plössl (51x)
    Eyepiece 2 13mm Plössl (156x)
    Finderscope StarPointer Pro™ finderscope
    Star Diagonal 1.25" Star Diagonal
    Mount Type Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
    Instrument Load Capacity 25 lbs (11 kg)
    Motor Drive DC servo motors
    Slew Speeds 9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second
    Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
    Tracking Modes Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South
    Dovetail Compatibility CG-5 saddle plate
    Tripod Stainless Steel, 38.1mm (1.5") Leg Diameter
    Power Requirements Internal 9.6V, 4.5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4)
    Number of Auxiliary Ports 4
    USB Port Yes, Hand Control input and Mount output
    Periodic Error Correction No
    Alignment Procedures StarSense AutoAlign, SkyAlign, 1-Star, 2-Star, Solar System, etc.
    Computerized Hand Control StarSense hand control: 2 line x 18 character backlit LCD, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 port
    Database Over 40,000 objects
    Software Celestron Starry Night Special Edition and SkyPortal App
    Total Kit Weight 42 lbs (19.05 kg)
    Mount Head Weight 16 lbs (7 kg)
    Tripod Weight 12 lbs (5.44 kg)
    Height Adjustment Range 1193.8mm - 1752.6mm (47" – 69")
    Tube outer diameter 238mm (9.37")
    Required back focus 133.35mm (5.25") from rear cell thread
    Rear / camera-side connection SCT 2"-24tpi Male
    Focuser type Moving primary mirror
    Matching reducer EdgeHD 800 0.7x Reducer (#94242)

    • EdgeHD 8" Optical Tube

      × 1

    • NexStar Evolution Single Fork Arm Mount & Tripod

      × 1

    • StarSense AutoAlign Accessory

      × 1

    • StarSense Hand Control

      × 1

    • StarPointer Pro™ Finderscope

      × 1

    • 40mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • 13mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • 1.25" Star Diagonal

      × 1

    • 1.25" Visual Back

      × 1

    • Accessory Tray

      × 1

    • 4 Plug International AC Adapter

      × 1

  • Celestron 2-Year Telescope Warranty