Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope Bundle
Get the Most From Your Celestron NexStar 8SE with This Amazing Bundle!
Looking for a powerful, future-proof, and intuitive system as your first telescope, or an upgrade from something you currently own? Then look no further than the Celestron NexStar 8SE. The largest-aperture scope of the NexStar SE series, the 8" provides over 1.5 times more light gathering power when compared to the 6SE. While the 6SE is still a fantastic telescope the difference in light gathering is undeniable! The 8SE utilizes Celestron’s latest NexStar + USB hand controller and provides access to over 40,000 celestial objects at your fingertips! Viewing just a single object a day would take you a lifetime to see them all! Optically, thanks to Celestron’s patented XLT High Transmission coatings and the 8" aperture, the 8SE will yield brighter images that are, crisp, clear, and high contrast when viewing Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, Orion’s Nebula and many, many more wonders of the night sky. Coupled with a sturdy Alt/AZ (altitude and azimuth--up/down; left/right) mount and tripod and using Celestron’s easy 1,2,3 SkyAlign Technology, finding and locating objects is a breeze. With a total combined weight of just over 32 pounds you’ll certainly be using this as often as the skies permit!
We understand that seeing how a telescope is set up can often mean the difference for amateur astronomers looking to get into the hobby or upgrading. As such, our team of non-commissioned Gear Experts have created two videos showing you the ins and outs of setting up the Celestron NexStar SE series telescopes, as well as how to begin taking beautiful planetary images! Check them out below!
Celestron NexStar 8SE At a Glance
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With this bundle you will receive three great accessories to get the most from your NexStar 8SE. The Apertura power supply that allows you to power your NexStar 8SE anywhere without worrying about finding an external power source. The Celestron 1.25" Eyepiece Kit includes five eyepieces, six color filters, a Moon filter, and a 2x Barlow lens which provides up to 10 different magnification options. Lastly, the Apertura 12 Volt, 2 Amp Universal AC adapter allows the NexStar 8SE to be powered from a wall outlet--a great option when observing from the comfort of your backyard!
Large Optics. Precision Mount Technology. Portable and Versatile.
The Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope Bundle Has It All!
Learn more about these amazing features as we dive into them in greater depth below, showcasing the value and performance which has earned the Celestron NexStar SE-series telescopes a soft spot in the hearts of our Gear Experts as one of the most important telescopes to inspire the next generation of amateur astronomers and night sky enthusiasts alike!
Large 8" Aperture with Starbright XLT High Transmission Coatings
The largest-aperture telescope in the SE series, the 8" comes in at over 1.5 times more light gathering power when compared to the 6SE. Coupled with Celestron’s Starbright XLT High Transmission coatings which maximize light transmission and clarity, the 8SE gives you unparalleled access to the night sky. With optics designed to provide the best of both visual and photographic worlds, seeing details on the craters of the Moon as well as bands on Jupiter are well within your reach! For those deep sky enthusiasts, 8" of aperture is highly regarded as the baseline for great views of M42(Orion’s Nebula), M13 (Hercules Globular Cluster), and other deep sky objects!
Fully "Go-To" Mount and Tripod Using Celestron's Latest NexStar + USB Hand Controller
Utilizing Celestrons lastest Nexstar + USB hand controller, the Nexstar SE mount is a fully "go-to" object-tracking/retention system that contains a massive 40,000 night sky catalog to choose from. Additionally, the proprietary SkyAlign technology and Sky-Tour options make locating and tracking your favorite objects a breeze! Simply add 8 AA batteries, or a 12V power supply and you’ll be ready to use the full might of the Nexstar + system!
Portability is Key!
With a combined weight of just over 30 pounds the Celestron Nexstar 8SE is easily one of the most portable systems around! When broken into its individual components the tripod and mount make up around 20 pounds and the optical tube assembly is around 12 pounds. Again, making this a highly transportable system for backyard observing or with the addition of a portable power supply, perfect for camping or taking to your favorite dark sky site!
Please Note: The detachable bubble level mentioned in the product manual is no longer included.
Celestron's Ecosystem of Accessories
The Nexstar SE is arguably the single most important telescope in recent times, and as such Celestron has developed a myriad of amazing accessories to outfit your system to fit your viewing or imaging pleasure. Whether you want to control the movement through your smartphone or tablet using the SkyPortal WiFi module, remotely focus for planetary imaging using the focus motor, or control condensation through Celestron's dew heater rings. The NexStar SE family of telescopes provide an almost limitless upgrade path! Outgrowing your Celestron NexStar 8SE is a thing of the past.
Visual or Photographic Use? Why not Both!
With a large 8" aperture Schmidt Cassegrain optical design providing 2032mm of focal length, paired with the fully tracking Nexstar SE mount and tripod, you don’t need to choose between purely visual, or taking pictures of the night sky. Included in the Nexstar system is a 1.25" diagonal and 25mm plossl eyepiece providing you a full disc image of the Moon right out of the box! Replace the eyepiece with a planetary camera to begin taking fantastic images of Jupiter, Saturn and much more! Or get a 2x Barlow and see the planets up close with your eyes. Whether for visual or photographic use, the NexStar 8SE’s versatility provides almost limitless upgrade and accessory options!
About the Apertura Power Supply
The Apertura Portable Telescope Power supply uses lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 155Wh to provide power to various observation accessories. Weighing in at about 3.5 lb., this power supply is extremely lightweight and easy to take on the road so you can observe the night sky anywhere without worrying about finding an external power source. The body of the Apertura power tank comes with both LED status indicators and an LED red-light flashlight. The flashlight has standard and strobe-light settings. The Apertura portable power supply has many fantastic features that set it apart from the competition. Not only is this supply easy to use, but it comes with three additional power adapters, dual mode charging, and several ports that will make connecting your astronomy gear a breeze!
Celestron 1.25" Eyepiece and Filter Kit
The Celestron Plossl Eyepieces in this handy kit come with a 4 element design and have a 52 degree AFOV (32 mm has 44 degrees). The Celestron Plossl Eyepieces have superb color resolution, edge sharpness and clarity. All Celestron eyepieces in the Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Kit are fully-multicoated for maximum contrast and resolution. Supplied eyepieces are the 6 mm, 8 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, and 32 mm focal length Plossl type. The 2x Barlow lens in the Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Kit compliments the Plossl eyepieces and gives you a total of ten power combinations. High grade glass optics with fully-multicoated lenses are used so there is no degradation of image. Included in this Celestron accessory kit are Kodak Wratten #12, #21, #25, #56, #58, and #80A filters. Since you have all the eyepieces necessary to study the planets and moon in detail, these filters will greatly enhance your enjoyment of our solar system. A neutral-density (ND) filter which allows you maximum enjoyment of the Moon, especially during its brighter phases. A sturdy and well-built case fits all of the above items in the die-cut foam interior and has room for additional accessories.
Apertura Universal 2 Amp AC Adapter
The barrel on one end of the cable is a 5.5 mm center-positive female plug that connects to the mount's DC input power jack. The connection is strong enough to help combat accidental cable pulls. This cable from Apertura is also compatible with other devices that require 2A @ 12V, as long as they use the 2.1 mm x 5.5 mm center-positive ac adapter tip. Please ensure that you have a compatible mount or piece of equipment before purchasing the Apertura AC adapter. Apertura's cable adapter delivers 2A @ 12VDC. This AC Adapter has a US Type A plug. If you are in doubt, check compatibility before purchasing the adapter.The Apertura AC2 power adapter is compatible with the following Celestron mounts: NexStar SLT Series, AstroFi Series, SkyProdigy Series, NexStar SE Series, and the NexStar Evolution Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I star align my Celestron NexStar 8SE?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is fitted with four alignment methods: Solar System, One Star, Two Star, and Three Star (also known as Sky Align). To begin the alignment process, power on your mount, then select your language as prompted through the NexStar+ handcontroller. Afterwards, select your desired alignment method, we recommend the Two Star alignment method for a nice balance between accuracy and setup speed. You’ll then enter your observing site information, such as your location, the current time (in military time), and today’s date. Now, select your first alignment star or planet on the NexStar+ hand controller by hitting “Enter”, and use the directional pad to center this object within your red dot finder. Next, center this object within your NexStar scope’s field of view, then hit “Align”. Repeat this process once more for Two Star alignment, or twice more for Three Star alignment. Afterwards, your NexStar+ hand controller should read “Align Success”. You’ve now star aligned your Celestron NexStar 8SE! Check out our comprehensive video on setting up your NexStar for more information.
Can I use my Celestron NexStar 8SE for astrophotography?
Absolutely! The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a great tool for capturing the cosmos. It’s important to note, however, this system is only suitable for short exposure astrophotography, such as imaging our Moon and the neighboring planets due to the alt-azimuth nature of the NexStar mount. If you’re wondering how to adapt your camera to your Celestron NexStar 8SE, take a look at our How to Connect a Camera to a Telescope article for help on this subject. Also, be sure to check out our video on how to Photograph a Planet with a Celestron Nexstar 8SE.
How do I locate objects with my Celestron NexStar 8SE?
To locate objects with your Celestron NexStar 8SE, you’ll first want to star align your telescope. This process is fully demonstrated in our Setting Up a Celestron NexStar 8SE video. After star alignment, enjoy selecting from over 40,000 objects within the NexStar+ hand controller. Your scope will automatically slew to your desired object.
How do I connect a camera to the Celestron NexStar 8SE?
In general, the easiest way to connect your camera to the NexStar 8SE scope is with the addition of a 1.25” nosepiece. This nosepiece enables you to attach your camera just as you would an eyepiece, securing it in place with the thumb screws on the visual back. For DSLR users, it’s important to mention a brand-specific T-Ring will be needed with any method of attachment. Be sure to check out our comprehensive How to Connect a Camera to a Telescope guide for further information!
What can I see with the Celestron NexStar 8SE?
With 8” of aperture and a focal length of 2032 mm, the Celestron NexStar 8SE is great for viewing everything from the planets, up-close details on our Moon, star clusters, nebulae, and even distant galaxies! The included 25 mm Plössl eyepiece provides 81x magnification, filling the frame with the stunning Orion Nebula and Trapezium Cluster, the entire disk of the Moon, and sights of the Dumbbell Nebula. With a 40,000+ catalog built into the NexStar+ handcontroller, the night sky is yours to explore! In need of eyepiece recommendations? The Apertura Panorama Eyepieces are a great choice, blending impressive quality with an unmatched affordability. .
How can I power my Celestron NexStar 8SE?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE can be powered with either 8 AA batteries or a 12V power source. While AA batteries are highly convenient for those on the go, a power tank delivers reliable power night after night. Thankfully this Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope Bundle comes equipped with its own portable, rechargeable power tank!
Is the NexStar 8SE difficult to set up?
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is quite easy and simple to set up! No tools are required, and assembly takes just a few minutes. After expanding the tripod on level ground, insert and install the spreader bar. Next, place the mount head on top of the tripod and secure it in place with the three thumb screws found underneath the tripod head. To attach the scope, loosen the thumb screw on the dovetail saddle, slide in the dovetail plate of your scope, then fasten the thumb screw to hold it in place. Check out our comprehensive Setting Up a Celestron NexStar 8SE video for a detailed breakdown of this process.
Can you connect a Celestron NexStar 8SE to a computer?
Yes, you can fully operate your NexStar 8SE with your laptop computer! To do so, you’ll need a user-supplied USB-A to USB Mini-B cable. Plug the USB-A into your computer and the USB Mini-B into the bottom of your NexStar+ hand controller. You’ll also need to install the Celestron PWI Telescope Control software on your laptop. Once installed, power up your NexStar 8SE, and you’re free to operate your scope with just your laptop. This powerful CPWI software features the Sky Viewer star chart, an intuitive planetarium interface to navigate the night sky. You’re also at liberty to select targets from the extensive 10 million+ database, star align your mount, and more!
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Celestron NexStar SE Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help you get the most out of your Celestron NexStar SE series telescope! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
