Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope – Schmidt-Cassegrain
13 sold in last 24 hours
- ADVANCED TECH MEETS ICONIC DESIGN: The NexStar 8SE pairs Celestron’s legendary orange tube with a fully computerized GoTo system—ideal for those ready to step up from manual scopes and explore more of the night sky with precision and ease.
- 8-INCH SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN OPTICS: The large 8" aperture gathers enough light to reveal fine lunar details, cloud bands on Jupiter, and deep-sky objects like galaxies and globular clusters—all in a compact, portable form factor.
- FULLY AUTOMATED GoTo MOUNT WITH NEXSTAR+ HAND CONTROL: Use the NexStar+ hand control to select from a 40,000+ object database. The computerized mount then automatically slews to your target and tracks it—no star charts or manual alignment needed.
- FAST & EASY ALIGNMENT WITH SKYALIGN TECHNOLOGY: SkyAlign gets you observing fast—just center any three bright stars or planets, even if you don’t know their names. The system then calculates your position and aligns the mount in minutes.
- COMPATIBLE WITH CELESTRON ACCESSORIES: Easily upgrade your setup with all our latest accessories to enhance automation, wireless control, or location accuracy as your skills grow.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from the telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
Tags |
Estimated shipping
Select a product to estimate shipping.The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a powerful, feature-rich telescope designed for intermediate users ready to take the next step in their astronomy journey. With its iconic orange tube and advanced Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, the 8SE offers impressive light-gathering ability in a compact, portable form—perfect for detailed views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. The fully automated GoTo mount makes finding objects effortless. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to choose from a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, and the mount will automatically locate and track your target with precision. Getting started is easy with SkyAlign technology: simply center any three bright stars or planets in the eyepiece—even if you don’t know their names—and the system calculates your position and aligns the telescope in minutes. The NexStar 8SE is also compatible with a wide range of Celestron accessories, including StarSense AutoAlign for hands-free setup, SkyPortal WiFi for wireless control, and SkySync GPS for enhanced accuracy. With its combination of optical performance, smart technology, and upgrade potential, the NexStar 8SE is built to grow with you. Backed by Celestron’s 2-Year Warranty and US-based technical support.
Review Celestron's Nexstar 8 SE telescope combines excellent optics and computerized "GoTo" tracking in a package that's light, portable and affordable. The legendary performance of Celestron's orange tube C8 telescope has been updated with high performance Starbright XLT coatings, and the single arm Nexstar mount now includes Celestron's easy to use "SkyAlign" technology.
The Nexstar 8 SE upholds Celestron's reputation for quality optics. When I use an 11mm Plossl eyepiece (almost 200x magnification) for example, I can easily see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. When I look at Jupiter, the pale orange color of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot is visible, and I've even been able to identify the polar caps and spot dust storms on the planet Mars. A 20mm Plossl eyepiece (about 100x magnification) is a good choice for viewing galaxies and star clusters. When I look at globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules the high contrast XLT optics show me a glowing snowflake made of hundreds of tiny pin-point stars! And a low power 32mm Plossl eyepiece is a good choice for views of larger deep space highlights like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
Celestron's patented "SkyAlign" system makes the Nexstar 8 SE very easy to use. I just pick the nearest town from the built-in list, enter the date and time, and point the telescope at three bright stars. I don't need a star chart because "SkyAlign" identifies the stars for me. When I just want a quick look at the moon or a planet, I like to use the "Solar System Align" option. After entering the date and time, I just point the telescope at the moon and press the "Align" key. That's all it takes, the computer takes over and the telescope begins tracking quietly and accurately. At star parties I often have my Nexstar up and running while older computerized telescopes are still waiting for their alignment stars to appear in the twilight.
The Nexstar 8 SE comes with a simple red-dot finder scope and a basic 25mm eyepiece. You'll want to add a few good eyepieces to take full advantage of the Nexstar 8 SE's excellent optics. At the very least get Celestron's bargain priced Accessory Kit which includes high and low power plossl eyepieces, or treat yourself to some top rated Tele Vue eyepieces. At twenty-four pounds total weight, the Nexstar 8 SE is unusually light and portable for an eight-inch telescope. The drawback of course is that some people will find it too light. Like other Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescopes there are plenty of optional accessories to upgrade this telescope with, such as heavy duty tripods and an optical finder scope. If you want to try astro-photography, however, check out Celestron's CPC 800 Telescope which features a heavy duty mount and tripod and an 8x50 optical finder scope right out of the box. --Jeff Phillips
Pros:
Manufacturer Description
The largest of the NexStar SE family with 78% more light gathering than a 6-inch model, the NexStar 8 SE will enable you to see deep into the Universe. The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestron's classic 8-inch optics. The NexStar 8 SE features Schmidt-Cassegrain 8-inch aperture optics with our premium StarBright XLT coatings and a powerful 2,032mm focal length and f10 focal ratio.
About the NexStar SE Series:
NexStar 8 SE Features:
The NexStar 8 SE has all the same features as Celestron's most advanced computerized GoTo telescopes, including our revolutionary SkyAlign alignment technology, a sky tour feature, a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, and easy-to-use hand control.
Plug the optional CN-16 GPS accessory into NexStar's auxiliary port and download data from orbiting GPS satellites for truly quick and easy alignments. The universe may be full of mysteries, but using the NexStar 8 SE isn't one of them.
In the tradition of Celestron's famous orange optical tubes, the NexStar SE Family combines the classic heritage of the original orange tube telescopes with state-of-the-art features including a fully computerized operating system, flash upgradeable hand control, our superior StarBright XLT coatings, our revolutionary SkyAlign telescope alignment software, and much more.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer looking for a portable scope with advanced features, or just starting your astronomy adventure and looking for an easy way to enjoy the night sky, a NexStar SE will help you take a closer look.
Every NexStar SE includes a version of The Sky software Level 1 Planetarium software for exploring the Universe on your PC and printing out custom star charts of the sky. In addition, you receive our NexRemote software that allows you to operate your telescope via your PC. This software package, valued at over $100, is included free with your NexStar SE!
General Features:
Computerized Features:
Important information
Legal Disclaimer
No warranty
Your Journey Through The Cosmos Begins Here
Celestron’s signature 'orange tube' telescope, designed to deliver one of the best stargazing experience for users of all levels
Fast Setup with SkyAlign
Celestron’s proprietary SkyAlign procedure has you ready to observe in minutes. Center any three bright objects in the eyepiece and NexStar SE aligns to the night sky, ready to locate thousands of stars, galaxies, and more.
Product details
| Main Specification | |
|---|---|
| Power Source | 8-AA batteries or 12v AC adapter or or any of Celestron’s PowerTank external power sources – none of which are included. See more |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone or Desktop or Laptop or GPS Device |
| Manufacturer | Celestron |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal Batteries Required. (Included) |
| Brand | Celestron |
| UPC | 050234110693 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Model Name | NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope |
| Product Dimensions | 32"D x 34"W x 52"H |
| Focal Length Description | 2032 millimeters |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00050234110693 |
| Item Weight | 10.88 kg |
| Product information | |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Field Of View | 0.75 degrees |
| Zoom Ratio | 16 |
| Technical Details | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 11069 |
| Item details | |
| Age Range Description | Adults |
| Model Number | 11069 |
| Measurements | |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 32"D x 34"W x 52"H |
| Features & Specs | |
| Additional Features | Fully Automated GoTo Mount with 40 or 000+ Object Database |
| Others | |
| Built-In Media | 25mm eyepiece or Accessory Tray or NexStar+ Hand Control or Optical tube or Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod or Star Diagonal or Star Pointer Finderscope |
| Item Highlight | Fully Automated GoTo Mount with SkyAlign or Large 8" SCT Optics or Visual & Astroimaging Ready or Deep-Sky & Planets or 40k+ Objects |
| Product Type | Catadioptric |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 20.3 centimeters |
| Coating | StarBright XLT |
| Eye Piece Lens Description | 25mm eyepiece |
| Telescope Mount Description | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm Mount |
| Mount | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm Mount |
| Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope (includes 51632 with CR2032 battery) |
| Optical Tube Length | 43.2 centimeters |
| Optical-Tube Length | 43.2 centimeters |
| Exit Pupil Diameter | 4.06 millimeters |
| Dawes Limit | 0.57 arc_sec |