Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8" f/10 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope with StarSense

Description

This iteration of the NexStar Evolution 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain 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 colour 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 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 that uses a digital camera to take photos of the sky that the scope is pointed. It 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.

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.

Features

Optical Performance

• Aperture: 8"
• Focal ratio: f/10
• Focal length: 2032mm
• Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design
• StarBright XLT fully multi-coated optical system improves light transmission, boosts contrast, and delivers true colour rendition
• Proprietary EdgeHD optics corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations to produce distortion-free images across the entire field of view with true colour representation
• Resolution:
• Rayleigh: 0.59 arcsec
• Dawes Limit: 0.57 arcsec

StarBright XLT Coating System

• Multi-layer mirror coatings made from layers of aluminium, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and Si02 (silicon dioxide)
• Reflectivity is flat across the light spectrum, for both astrophotography/astroimaging and visual observation
• Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings made from layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide)
• High-transmission water white glass corrector lens with 97.4% light transmission

Computer Control

• Integrated Wi-Fi module
• Mount generates a local Wi-Fi signal
• Directly connect to tablet or smartphone
• Control mount via free SkyPortal app for Android and iOS
• Android 4.0 and higher
• iOS 6 or later
• SkyPortal app:
• 120,000+ object database
• Includes:
• Star clusters
• Nebulae
• Galaxies
• Asteroids and comets
• Satellites, including the International Space Station
• Custom SkyTour of all the best celestial objects to view based on the time, date, and location
• Simulate the night sky up to 100 years in the past, or plan a future observing session
• Night Vision Mode preserves night-adjusted vision
• Multiple assisted-alignment choices:
• SkyAlign
• 3-Star
• Solar System
• Tracking rates:
• Three rates: Sidreal, solar, and lunar
• Automatic tracking for near and deep sky objects
• Multiple slew speeds, 4°/sec maximum
• View hundreds of astronomical photographs and NASA spacecraft images
• Listen to more than four hours of audio narration to learn the history, mythology, and science of astronomy and the night sky

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

Mount and Tripod

• Mount:
• Motorised, computer-controlled single-arm fork mount
• Slew speeds up to 4°/sec
• variable speed sidereal, lunar, and solar tracking rates
• Altitude and azimuth clutches to manually point the telescope when it's powered off
• Tripod
• Stainless steel legs
• Adjustable-height with two leg sections and locking thumbscrews
• Accessory tray locks legs in-place for added stability and vibration reduction
• Tray keeps accessories and equipment safe and organised
• Spikes at the end of the legs provide a sure footing
• No tools required to set up mount and tripod

Optical Accessories

• Eyepieces:
• 1.25" diameter barrel accept most filters
• Anti-reflection multi-coated glass
• Fold down rubber eyecups for use with or without eyeglasses
• 40mm eyepiece produces 51x magnification
• 12.5mm eyepiece produces 162.5x magnification
• Diagonal:
• 90° angle puts eyepiece in comfortable viewing position, especially when OTA is aimed at or near the zenith
• Basic mirrored star diagonal corrects view vertically, but not horizontally

Specifications