The iconic 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain has been known for decades as Celestron’s most beloved telescope. Now beginner to intermediate astroimagers can have their own “C-8” at an extremely affordable price. This classic design has been upgraded with our StarBright XLT coatings for maximum light transmission. Combined with our fully featured Advanced VX mount, you have a setup that is ready for both imaging and visual observing.
About the Mount
The new Advanced VX mount was specifically designed to provide optimum imaging performance for smaller telescopes. Now your smaller telescope can take advantage of All-Star Polar Alignment and autoguider support. You’ll be able to track through long exposures using permanently programmable periodic error correction. Image across the meridian without doing a meridian flip, so you can seamlessly image the best part of night sky. Advanced VX features significantly larger base castings than our previous design, improving stability under heavier loads. Improved motors offer more torque and can handle slight load imbalances with ease.
More Information
Specifications
OPTICAL TUBE INFO:
Optical Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture
203.2mm (8")
Focal Length
2032mm (80")
Focal Ratio
f/10
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1
25mm (.8")
Magnification of Eyepiece 1
102x
Finderscope
6x30
Star Diagonal
1.25" Star Diagonal
Optical Tube
Aluminum
Highest Useful Magnification
480x
Lowest Useful Magnification
29x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude
14
Resolution (Rayleigh)
.69 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes)
.57 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye)
843x
Secondary Mirror Obstruction
64mm (2.5")
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter
31%
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area
9.77%
Optical Coatings
StarBright XLT
Optical Tube Length
432mm (17")
Optical Tube Diameter
238mm (9.37")
Optical Tube Weight
12.5 lbs (5.9 kg)
Dovetail
Vixen/CG-5 Dovetail bar
MOUNT INFO:
Mount Type
Computerized Equatorial
Instrument load capacity
30 lbs (13.6 kg)
Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod)
1118mm - 1626mm (44" – 64")
Tripod Leg Diameter
50.8mm (2") Stainless Steel
Latitude adjustment range
7° - 77°
Mount Head Weight
17 lbs (7.71 kg)
Accessory Tray
Yes
Tripod Weight
18 lbs (8.16 kg)
Weight of Counterweights
1 x 12 lbs
Slew Speeds
9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second
Tracking Rates
Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Tracking Modes
EQ North & EQ South
GPS
N/A
Dovetail Compatibility
Vixen/CG-5 saddle plate
Number of Auxiliary ports
3 Aux ports (1 hand control and 2 AUX ports for optional accessories
Autoguide port
Yes
USB Port
Yes, input on Hand Control
Power Requirements
12V DC 3.5A (tip positive)
Motor Drive
DC servo motors
Alignment Procedures
2-Star Align, 1-Star Align, Solar System Align, Last Alignment, Quick Align
Periodic Error Correction
Yes
Computerized Hand Control
2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 port for PC connection
NexStar+ Database
40,000+ objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
Software
Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software, SkyPortal App
Total Kit Weight
59.5 lbs (27 kg)
Included Items
Advanced VX Equatorial Head | Tripod | Accessory Tray | 1 x 12 lbs counterweight | NexStar+ Hand Control | DC Power Cable (item# 18769) | Hand Control Holster
