Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8HD With StarSense

Celestron

$2,949.99
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SKU:
CEL12096
UPC:
050234120968
Availability:
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SUMMARY

This iteration of the Nexstar Evolution 8 203mm f/10 Schmidt Cassegrain GoTo Telescope from Celestron is a powerful, versatile, and user-friendly compact catadioptric-style scope that can be used for observing everything from the Moon and planets to deep sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. The EdgeHD optical system is designed to virtually eliminate spherical and chromatic aberrations so views through it are flat and distortion-free across the entire field of view, with accurate color rendition. Using Celestron's proprietary StarBright XLT multi-coating system, light transmission is increased throughout the entire optical path with anti-reflection multi-coated lenses, highly reflective multi-coated mirrors, and 4-element rare-earth glass. While the focal ratio is a slow f/10, the scope's precision tracking system, complemented by the StarSense alignment system, and distortion-free optical qualities allow it to be a competent astrophotography/astroimaging platform for the Moon, planets, prominent deep sky objects, and wide-field photos.

The Evolution comes with Celestron's StarSense Autoalign system. Using a digital camera, it takes photos of the star-field where the scope is pointed, then interfaces with an internal database to align itself. It requires virtually no input from the user except to turn it on and to confirm its position when it is finished. The scope connects to Celestron's free SkyPortal app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets via an internal Wi-Fi module. Once aligned, the app opens up the scope's true capabilities. It has a database of over 120,000 objects and offers guided tours, automatic tracking rates for near and deep-sky objects, and multiple slew speeds. A secondary way to control the mount is using the wired NexStar hand controller. Outfitted with a smaller database, but with similar functionality, using the controller makes the entire system completely self-contained.

Designed for portability, the Evolution features a long life lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4) battery providing up to 10 hours of continual use on a single charge. The scope comes with an AC power supply with plugs for the US, EU, UK, and AU outlets so it can go with you when you chase eclipses or other celestial events across the world. The battery powers the servo motors, auxiliary accessory ports, a USB charging port, and the built-in Wi-Fi. Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth enable users to manually move and point the telescope when it's powered off.

 

HIGHLIGHTS
 
Optical Performance
203.2mm (8") aperture
f/10 focal ratio
2032mm focal length
Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric optical path
Crown optical glass primary mirror
Proprietary EdgeHD optics corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations to produce distortion-free images across the entire field of view with true color representation
StarBright XLT optical coatings: Multi-layer aluminum/SiO2 (quartz)/TiO2 (titanium dioxide)/Si02 (silicon dioxide) mirror coatings with flat reflectivity across the light spectrum for both astrophotography/astroimaging and visual observation
Multi-layer MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide) anti-reflective lens coatings
High-transmission water white glass corrector lens with 97.4% light transmission
Internal focusing mechanism
Resolution: 0.59 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.57 arcsec (Dawes)
Fastar capability: Secondary mirror can be removed and a DSLR or imaging rig mounted in its place for fast wide-field astrophotography
 
 
StarSense AutoAlign System
Integrated digital camera takes photos of night sky and cross-references an internal database to determine location
Alignment takes minutes, with minimal effort or experience
No need to point it North or to perfectly level the scope
StarSense hand controller included for those who prefer not to interface with smartphone or tablet
 
 
Sky Portal App
Connect your smart device to the telescope via direct WiFi connection, no router required
Align and control the telescope from your device
App uses the device's camera and compass to determine location and what is available to see
Enjoy the same features as NexStar controller, but without wires
Expanded database to over 120,000 objects
Detailed information on over 200 popular objects including audio commentary, statistics, history, mythology, video and pictures
Simulate the night sky up to 100 years in the past, or future to plan an upcoming observing session
Compass Mode: Hold device up to the night sky and identify objects such as stars, planets, and galaxies; zoom in to view fainter objects not visible to the naked eye
Night Vision Mode: Preserves night-adjusted vision
Listen to more than four hours of audio narration to learn the history, mythology, and science of astronomy and the night sky
Works as a stand-alone planetarium app
Free for Android 4.0 and later or iOS 7.0 and later mobile devices
Database includes:
Solar system: Sun, moon, planets
Star clusters
Nebulae
Galaxies
Asteroids and comets
Satellites, and the International Space Station
 
 
NexStar Controller
Two-line, 16-character LCD display
19 fiber optic backlit red LED buttons
Database of over 40,000 celestial objects plus 100 user-defined
Automatically slew to planets, stars, constellations, and a variety of catalogs
Camera control: For piggyback wide field or conventional astrophotography through the OTA, the controller can automatically trigger the shutter release to capture the image
Anti-backlash compensation programs-out play between gears for more precise tracking
Tour Mode: Shows a selection of the most popular objects for the time and date you are observing
Constellation Tour: Allows the user to take a tour of all the best objects within a particular constellation
Alignment procedures: SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star, 1-Star, 2-Star, and Solar System
SkyAlign alignment: Takes minutes, with minimal effort or experience - Point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope does the rest
Nine slew speeds: 4°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 0.5°/sec, 2x, 4x, 8x,16x, and 32x
Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates for observing the fast-moving Moon, to slower-moving deep space subjects
RS-232 communication port allows for computer control
Flash updateable via the Celestron website
 
 
Mount and Tripod
Mount:
Motorized single-arm alt-azimuth fork mount
Altitude and azimuth clutches to manually point the telescope when it is powered off
Brass worm gears with steel ball bearings provides smooth movement with reduced vibration
146mm diameter/180-tooth stainless steel worm wheels
Ports: One port for NexStar+ controller; One 5 VDC USB charging port for smartphones and small electronics; Three auxiliary ports for optional accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign system
Runs on one internal rechargeable 9.6V, 4.5Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
Includes power supply with USA, EU, UK, and AU plugs
 
Tripod:
Stainless steel two-section legs
Adjustable-height accommodates a variety of users and viewing positions
Spikes at the end of the legs provide a sure footing on soft or uneven ground
Tray keeps accessories and equipment safe and organized
No tools required to set up mount and tripod
 
 
Optical Accessories
Eyepieces:
1.25" diameter barrel accept most filters
Anti-reflection multicoated glass
Fold down rubber eyecups for use with or without eyeglasses
40mm eyepiece produces 51x magnification
12.5mm eyepiece produces 162x magnification
Diagonal:
1.25" snout and eyepiece holder
90° angle places head in comfortable position when OTA is pointed at or near the zenith
Star mirror diagonal corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
Finderscope:
Projects a single red dot in line of sight
Unmagnified view ensures a wide field of view to make finding objects faster and star-hopping navigation easier
SPECIFICATIONS Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain Aperture: 203.2 mm Focal Length: 2032mm Focal Ratio: f/10 Eyepiece Barrel Diameter: 1.25" Diagonal: 90° star 1.25" snout and eyepiece holder Finderscope: StarPointer Pro red dot Tripod: Adjustable-height stainless steel Mount: Motorized single-arm alt-az fork mount Brass worm gears with ball bearings Stainless steel worm wheels with 180 teeth Battery / Runtime: Internal 9.6 V, 4.5 Ah LiFePO4 rechargeable battery Up to 10 h max runtime on a full charge Power Requirements: 12 VDC, 2.0 A Delivered via AC power supply Auxilliary I/O Connector: 4 x auxiliary ports compatible with NexStar+ Hand Control, StarSense AutoAlign and other accessories 1 x USB charging port; 5 V, 2.0 A max output Optical Tube Length: 16.0" (40.6 cm) Weight: 40.6 lb / 18.4 kg, total