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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron Nexstar 8SE Computerized Telescope

by Celestron
SKU CEL-11069
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$1,699.00
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  • 8" (203.2mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube
  • f/10 Focal Ratio with 2032mm Focal Length
  • Starbright XLT Optical Coatings for Maximum Light Transmission
  • Computerized Single Fork Arm Alt-Azimuth GoTo Mount
  • NexStar+ Hand Control with a 40,000 Object Database
  • Total System Weight of 32 lbs (14.51 kg)
  • 42mm Image Circle illuminates full-frame sensors
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

    The Celestron NexStar 8SE pairs the legendary 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with a modern, portable GoTo single fork arm mount, creating the definitive choice for your first serious telescope. Its large 203.2mm aperture gathers 843x more light than the human eye, resolving details down to 0.57 arc seconds under good conditions. The entire 32 lb system is managed by the NexStar+ hand control, which puts a database of 40,000 celestial objects at your fingertips for automated pointing and tracking.

    8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics: 843x Light Gathering and 0.57" Resolution

    With a full 8 inches of aperture and a 2032mm focal length, the NexStar 8SE delivers high-magnification views of the solar system and beyond. The f/10 focal ratio is ideal for resolving fine detail, from Cassini's Division in Saturn's rings to the cloud bands of Jupiter. Celestron's proprietary Starbright XLT coatings maximize light transmission, brightening faint deep-sky objects and increasing contrast on planetary surfaces.

    This level of light-gathering power brings deep-sky targets to life, revealing hundreds of individual stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13) or the faint spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). The optical system is designed to produce a 42mm image circle, fully illuminating even large camera sensors for astrophotography.

    Patented Single Fork Arm Mount: A 32 lb Go-Anywhere System

    The best telescope is the one you use most often, and the NexStar 8SE is engineered for portability and rapid setup. The unique single fork arm mount, 12 lb optical tube, and 9 lb tripod break down into compact, lightweight components that are easy to transport and assemble. The entire system weighs just 32 lbs, making it manageable for one person to take to a dark sky site or set up in the backyard in minutes.

    • Stainless Steel Tripod: The robust tripod features 1.5" diameter steel legs, providing a stable platform for the 11 lb mount head and minimizing vibrations.
    • Quick Setup: The optical tube attaches to the mount via a standard CG-5 dovetail bar, making assembly fast and secure without any tools.
    • Power Options: The mount runs on 8 AA batteries (not included) or an external 12V DC power supply, offering flexibility for home or field use.

    NexStar+ Controller: 40,000 Objects with SkyAlign Technology

    At the heart of the 8SE is the computerized NexStar+ hand controller, which eliminates the frustration of manually locating celestial objects. The built-in database contains 40,000 objects, including planets, nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. Simply select an object from the menu, and the telescope's DC servo motors will slew to it automatically at up to 5° per second.

    Getting started is famously simple thanks to Celestron's SkyAlign procedure. Just point the telescope at any three bright stars in the sky, and the onboard computer will orient itself. For even greater simplicity, the mount is compatible with Celestron's StarSense AutoAlign accessory for a fully automated alignment process.

    Fastar-Ready for f/2 Imaging and Future Upgrades

    The NexStar 8SE is an excellent visual instrument that also serves as a capable astrophotography platform. By replacing the secondary mirror with an optional Starizona HyperStar lens, you can convert the telescope into an incredibly fast f/2 wide-field imaging system. This dramatically reduces exposure times, making it possible to capture stunning images of large nebulae and galaxies.

    For planetary and lunar imaging, the long 2032mm focal length provides the image scale needed to capture fine surface details. The mount also includes an autoguide port for connecting a guide camera, a necessary step for longer deep-sky exposures. While the native Alt-Az mount can introduce field rotation in very long exposures, this can be corrected by mounting the telescope on an optional equatorial wedge.

    NexStar 8SE vs. 6SE: The Aperture Advantage

    While the NexStar 6SE is a superb and even more portable telescope, the 8SE offers a significant step up in optical capability. The primary difference is light-gathering power and resolution, which are dictated by the aperture.

    • Light Gathering: The 8SE's 203.2mm aperture gathers nearly 78% more light than the 6SE's 150mm aperture. This translates directly to brighter images and the ability to see fainter deep-sky objects and more subtle detail.
    • Resolution: With a Dawes' limit of 0.57 arc seconds, the 8SE can resolve finer details on planets and split closer double stars than the 6SE, which is limited to about 0.77 arc seconds.
    • Portability Trade-off: The 8SE optical tube weighs 12 lbs and the total kit is 32 lbs. The 6SE is lighter, which may be a deciding factor for some users, but the 8SE's dramatic increase in optical capability comes with only a modest increase in weight.

  • What can I see with the Celestron NexStar 8SE?

    The 8" aperture is large enough to show you details on every planet in the solar system, including Jupiter's Great Red Spot and the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. For deep-sky objects, you can resolve individual stars in globular clusters like M13, see the spiral structure of galaxies like M51, and view the full extent of large nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42).

    How does the NexStar 8SE perform on Jupiter with the included 25mm eyepiece?

    The included 25mm eyepiece provides 81x magnification. At this power, you will clearly see Jupiter as a distinct disk, its four Galilean moons, and its two main equatorial cloud bands. To see more detail like the Great Red Spot and finer cloud structures, you will want to add a higher-power eyepiece or a Barlow lens to push the magnification closer to 150-200x on nights of steady seeing.

    Is the NexStar 8SE portable enough for trips to a dark sky site?

    Yes, portability is a key design feature. The entire system weighs 32 lbs and breaks down into three main components: the optical tube (12 lbs), mount head (11 lbs), and tripod (9 lbs). Each piece is lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit into a small vehicle and be carried and assembled by one person.

    Can I do long-exposure astrophotography with the NexStar 8SE?

    The NexStar 8SE is an excellent platform for starting astrophotography, especially for planetary, lunar, and solar imaging. For long exposures of deep-sky objects, the standard altitude-azimuth mount will cause field rotation. You have two main options to overcome this:

    • HyperStar Imaging: By adding a Starizona HyperStar lens, you convert the telescope to f/2. This makes exposure times so short (typically under 60 seconds) that field rotation is not an issue.
    • Equatorial Wedge: You can purchase an optional equatorial wedge, which tilts the mount to align with Earth's axis of rotation, completely eliminating field rotation.

    What are the Starbright XLT coatings on the NexStar 8SE?

    Starbright XLT is Celestron's premium optical coating system. It's a multi-layer process applied to the corrector plate, mirrors, and lenses to maximize light transmission through the telescope. This results in brighter images and higher contrast compared to standard coatings, which is especially noticeable when viewing faint deep-sky objects.

    What is the first accessory I should buy for my NexStar 8SE?

    The most critical first accessory is a power supply. While the 8SE can run on 8 AA batteries, they will drain quickly. A Celestron PowerTank or an AC adapter will provide reliable, long-lasting power for your observing sessions. After that, a higher-magnification eyepiece (around 10mm-13mm) and a 2x Barlow lens would be excellent additions to expand your viewing options.

  • Optical Tube Specifications
    Optical Design Schmidt-Cassegrain
    Aperture 203.2mm (8")
    Focal Length 2032mm (80")
    Focal Ratio f/10
    Image Circle 42mm
    Optical Coatings Starbright XLT
    Included Eyepiece 25mm (0.98")
    Included Magnification 81x
    Finderscope StarPointer™ red dot finderscope
    Star Diagonal 1.25" Star Diagonal
    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 Length 432mm (17")
    Optical Tube Diameter 232mm (9.1")
    Optical Tube Weight 12 lbs (5.4 kg)
    Dovetail CG-5 Dovetail bar
    Mount Specifications
    Mount Type Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
    Instrument Load Capacity 12 lbs (5.44 kg)
    Power Requirements 8-AA batteries (not included) or 12 VDC, 750 mA
    Motor Drive DC servo motors
    Slew Speeds 9 speeds - max 5°/second
    Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
    Tracking Modes Alt-Az, EQ North, EQ South
    Alignment Procedures SkyAlign, 1-Star, 2-Star, Auto 2-Star, Solar System, EQ Align
    Ports 1x AUX Port, Autoguide Port, Hand Control USB Port
    Database NexStar+ with 40,000 Objects
    Tripod Stainless Steel, 1.5" leg diameter
    Mount Head Weight 11 lbs (5 kg)
    Tripod Weight 9 lbs (4.08 kg)
    Total Kit Weight 32 lbs (14.51 kg)

    • NexStar 8SE Optical Tube

      × 1

    • Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod

      × 1

    • NexStar+ Hand Control

      × 1

    • 25mm Eyepiece (1.25")

      × 1

    • StarPointer Red Dot Finderscope

      × 1

    • Star Diagonal (1.25")

      × 1

    • Accessory Tray

      × 1

  • Celestron 2-Year Limited Warranty