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  • Explore the Universe and control your NexStar Evolution telescope with the free Celestron SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari™ app app for iOS and Android!
  • Compact, portable 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings
  • Computerized GoTo mount with high-performance worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash
  • Rechargeable lithium-iron phosphate battery with enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing
  • Improved industrial design with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device

NexStar Evolution 8" SCT

$2,199.00Price
  • "This robotic WiFi telescope is the coolest app-cessory in the galaxy"
    -Wired.com

    "5-star overall rating"
    -BBC Sky at Night Magazine

    The NexStar Evolution is the first Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with integrated WiFi. Leave your hand control behind and slew to all the best celestial objects with a tap of your smartphone or tablet. Connect your device to NexStar Evolution’s built-in wireless network, and explore the universe with the SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari™ mobile app for iOS and Android.

    Use the planetarium interface to view the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on your time and location. Our proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built right into the SkyPortal mobile app, so you’re ready to observe within minutes.

    The most user-friendly telescope ever
    Celestron engineers designed NexStar Evolution based on years of customer feedback. It offers many thoughtful design features that combine to provide you the best possible experience out under the stars.

    Forget about batteries or an external power supply. For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, NexStar Evolution includes its own built-in battery. With this ultra-long life lithium-iron phosphate battery, you’ll be able to enjoy stargazing marathons up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can even use NexStar Evolution’s USB charge port to top off the other devices in your life that need to stay powered on during an observing session. An intelligent power management system senses when battery levels are low and goes into power-saving mode to keep your telescope running for as long as possible.

    Setting up your NexStar Evolution is quick and painless with large, ergonomic handles. The all-metal tripod features a metal accessory tray with indentations for storing and carrying the tripod. During setup, leg etchings help you achieve a level, uniform height for your telescope. Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. Store up to 7 eyepieces in 2 accessory trays, one with an adjustable red LED illuminator.

    Superior tracking fit for astroimaging
    If you’re interested in astroimaging, the 8-inch NexStar Evolution is an excellent, affordable way to get started. It’s the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers brass worm gears, along with improved motors. NexStar Evolution’s tracking accuracy is so impressive, you can capture images of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula by simply attaching your DSLR camera. As you progress in the hobby of astroimaging, you can add our HD Pro Wedge to achieve longer exposures for more detailed astrophotos. NexStar Evolution compatible with the wedge when used with the CPC tripod (sold separately).

    Of course, the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system offers bright, sharp views with StarBright XLT optical coatings—a great choice for visual observers and budding astroimagers alike.

    NexStar Evolution is equipped with 4 auxiliary ports--2 on top of the fork and 2 on the bottom. A classic NexStar+ hand control is included, but is not necessary when using NexStar Evolution with the mobile app. The telescope also includes a StarPointer finderscope, two 1.25” Plossl eyepieces, a 1.25” star diagonal, and an AC adapter.

  • OPTICAL TUBE INFO:  
    Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
    Aperture: 203.2mm (8")
    Focal Length: 2032mm (80")
    Focal Ratio: f/10
    Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 40mm (1.57")
    Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 51x
    Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: 13mm (.51")
    Magnification of Eyepiece 2: 156x
    Finderscope: Red Dot Finderscope
    Star Diagonal: 1.25" Star Diagonal
    Optical Tube: Aluminum
    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 (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 (5.67 kg)
    Dovetail: CG-5 Dovetail bar
    MOUNT INFO:  
    Mount Type: Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm
    Instrument load capacity: 25 lbs (11 kg)
    Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): 1193.8mm - 1752.6mm (47" – 69")
    Tripod Leg Diameter: 38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel
    Mount Head Weight: 16 lbs (7 kg)
    Accessory Tray: Yes
    Tripod Weight: 12 lbs (5.44 kg)
    Slew Speeds: 9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second
    Tracking Rates: Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
    Tracking Modes: Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South
    GPS: N/A
    Dovetail Compatibility: CG-5 saddle plate
    Number of Auxiliary Ports: 4 AUX Ports (Hand Control can use any of the AUX Ports)
    Autoguide Port: No
    USB Port: Yes, Hand Control input and Mount output
    Power Requirements: Internal 9 6V, 4 5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4)
    Motor Drive: DC servo motors
    Alignment Procedures: SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, Quick-Align, Last Alignment, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge)
    Periodic Error Correction: No
    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: Over 40,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects
    Software: Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App
    Total Kit Weight: 40.5 lbs (18.37 kg)
    Included Items: Optical tube
    Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod
    Accessory Tray
    Built-in Wifi
    Integrated Lithium-iron battery
    NexStar+ Hand Control
    40mm and 13mm eyepiece
    Red dot finderscope
    Visual Back
    Star Diagonal
    4 plug AC adapter
    Solar Warning
    • Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
    • Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it.
    • Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present.
    California Residents

    WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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