Celestron's C8 has been a best-selling optical system for decades. Combining a repuation for optical excellence with lightweight portability and great value, the C8-S is the perfect choice if you're looking for an advanced first telescope or want to upgrade to a larger aperture telescope.
An adjustable counterweight makes it easy to point, balance and use. This C8 optical system comes with our premium StarBright XLT coatings and its large aperture offers light gathering power 843 times that of the human eye. Included are setting circles on both axes, slow-motion controls and latitude scale. An optional polar alignment scope for quick alignment is available.
Mounted on the Advanced GT Series computerized mount, this telescope has some high performance software and hardware features. Operated by our proven NexStar computer control technology the telescope has a 40,000+ object database with 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects. Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms.
Using the RS-232 communication port on the hand control, you can control the telescope via a personal computer and our new flash upgradeable hand controls allow you to update your telescope's operating software via the internet. An autoguider port is also included for astrophotography.
CG-5 Mount - Precision engineered for stability.
Our new German Equatorial mount has precision worm gears on both axes for extremely smooth stability. The key element that makes this system the most stable in its class is the NEW heavy-duty tripod with larger and more substantial legs that offer excellent damping characteristics for more stable views. The CG-5 also has a convenient latitude scale for easier alignment and an optional polar finder scope for the ultimate in precision alignments.
C8-SGT (XLT) - General Features
- 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- StarBright XLT high transmission coatings
- 6x30 finderscope to help accurately find objects
- Heavy Duty (CG-5GT) computerized German Equatorial mount
- Ultra sturdy 2" diameter steel tripod with accessory tray
- Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky
- Includes CD-ROM "The Sky" Astronomy Software which provides education about the sky and printable sky maps
C8-SGT (XLT) - Computerized Mount Features
- Proven NexStar computer control technology
- 40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
- DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes
- Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
- Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography
- Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
- Compatible with optional NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer
- RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
- GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory (93966)
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 203.2 mm (8 in)
Focal Length: 2032 mm (80 in)
Focal Ratio: 10
Finderscope: 6x30
Mount: CG-5 Equatorial
Eyepiece 1: 25 mm (0.98 in)
Magnification 1: 81 x
Star Diagonal: 1.25
Accessory Tray: Yes
Tripod: 2 inch Stainless Steel
CD ROM: "The Sky" Level 1
Power Supply: Car Battery Adapter
Highest Useful Magnification: 480 x
Lowest Useful Magnification: 29 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14
Resolution (Rayleigh): 0.69 arcsec
Resolution (Dawes): 0.57 arcsec
Photographic Resolution: 200 line/mm
Light Gathering Power: 843 x
Angular Field of View: 0.64 degrees
Linear Field of View (@1000 yds): 34 ft (10.36 m)
Optical Coatings: Starbright Coating/XLT
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 2.7 in (68.58 mm)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area: 11.4 percent
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter: 33.8 percent
Optical Tube Length: 17 in (431.8 mm)
Telescope Weight: 54.5 lb (24.72 kg)
Counterweights: 1-11lb
Motor Drive: DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes
Computer Hand Control: Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
Slew Speeds: 3 degrees/sec
Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Tracking Modes: EQ North and EQ South
Alignment Procedures: AutoAlign, 2-Star Alignment, Quick Align
Software Precision: 24bit, 0.08 arcsec calculation
Communication Ports: RS-232 communication port on hand control
Motor Ports: Aux Port, Autoguide Ports
Database: 40,000+ objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
