Celestron Nexstar 8i Computerized Go-To Telescope Kit

by Celestron

Product Details

Product Manual [6.82mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 38 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00006F2VW
• Item model number: 11021
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,099 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 1, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Celestron's affordable NexStar 8i is an exciting new addition to the renowned NexStar family. Equipped with the standard electronic hand control, you can manually slew your NexStar across the sky in seconds or track a star equatorially as the Earth rotates beneath you. The electronic hand controls allows you to move the telescope at six different rates and has a "double button" feature that lets you instantly increase the slew speed without having to change rates.

Catadioptrics     This is a catadioptric telescope. Catadioptrics use an ingenious combination of mirrors and lenses to "fold" the light path into a remarkably compact tube. This type of design--which includes Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes--offers good value even while it scores high on the techno-geek meter.     Read more about different telescope designs in our buying guide

When used with the optional computerized hand control, this model includes all of Celestron’s newest hardware and software enhancements in an affordable and expandable system. Most important, the NexStar 8i will fully align themselves when used with the CN16 GPS accessory. Put the power of our newest software features and expanded object database to work for you with Celestron's most versatile telescope.

Specifications include:

• 203mm (8") Diameter Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Focal Length of 2032mm
• Focal Ratio of f/10
• 6-degree per second slew speed
• Fully enclosed high speed motors on both axes
• Integrated hand controller built into the side of the fork arm
• Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with Starbright coating
• Designated AutoGuider port
• Auxiliary Port for optional Accessories, including CN-16 GPS module
• Battery Compartment for 8 (user supplied) AA batteries
• Weight: 34.5 lbs.
• Made in the U.S.A.

Standard accessories for the NexStar 8i:

• Multicoated 25mm Plossl Eyepiece (50x)
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• Star Diagonal - 1.25"
• Visual Back - 1.25"
• Heavy Duty Base with Rubber Feet
• Electronic Hand Control

Celestron has long been recognized as a leader in Schmidt-Cassegrain technology. Our line of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes ranges from the highly portable C5+ all the way up to the powerful CG-14, and includes several cutting edge computerized telescopes. Celestron's potent combination of superior optics, fine drive systems and well-crafted mechanics puts these telescopes in a class by themselves.

Schmidt-Cassegrain, or catadioptric, telescopes use a combination of mirrors and lenses to fold the optics and form an image. Incoming light enters through a thin aspheric Schmidt correcting lens, then strikes the spherical primary mirror and is reflected back up the tube. The light is then intercepted by a small secondary mirror which reflects the light out an opening in the rear of the instrument, where the image is formed at the eyepiece.

More advantages of the Schmidt-Cassegrain design are:

• Excellent optical systems delivering razor sharp images over a wide field.
• High performance in almost all situations; terrestrial viewing and photography; lunar, planetary and deep-sky observing; astrophotography with fast film; CCD imaging.
• Best all-around, multifunction telescope design; it combines all the optical advantages of both mirrors and lenses, while canceling their disadvantages.
• Focal ratios generally in the range of f/10, which is useful for all types of photography.
• A telescope that's compact, portable, easy to use, durable, virtually maintenance free and has a closed tube.
• The best near focus capability of any type of telescope design.
• Large apertures at quite reasonable prices.

More on the Schmidt-Cassegrain Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes are designed to meet many needs and these compact, portable, user-friendly telescopes have a strong following. At Celestron, we pride ourselves on producing consistently superior optics and earning our customer's devotion to the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Each optical system is individually hand figured and guaranteed to be diffraction limited. Fine corrections are made on the secondary mirrors, that smooths the optical figure. To maintain tight quality control, each Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is manufactured in the U.S.A.

Hand figuring of an optical system is a complex optical procedure done only on a commercial basis by Celestron. The art of hand figuring does take time but the results are easily evidenced by the superior resultant astrophotographs and viewing obtained. Celestron 's optical testing is performed on double-pass auto-collimators in a temperature controlled environment. This ensures the highest quality on a consistent basis. Our commitment to the most careful optical fabrication and most stringent testing and quality control is for one purpose: to produce the very best Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes available anywhere.

All Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes utilize the multicoated Starbright coatings group. High Reflectivity (HR) coatings are used on the mirrors for increased reflectivity and Anti-Reflection (AR) coatings are used on the correcting lens for increased light transmission. In fact, Celestron's Starbright coatings provide "the best light transmission by a large margin over the competition," according to Sky & Telescope magazine. In addition, the optical systems are optimally baffled to ensure the highest contrast levels. To provide consistent customer satisfaction and high performance, all Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain optical assemblies, at each aperture size, utilize the same superior optics, whether in a basic or full featured model.

If the 4,000 object computerized database and automatic alignment capabilities aren’t inspiring enough, add to that the easily assembled, quick-release fork arm and you have the smartest, most user-friendly telescope available today. And NexStar telescopes love to travel. Sturdy and solid, they provide rigid low-vibration performance, with quiet, high precision servo motors. Powered by 8 AA user supplied batteries or an optional AC adapter (#18770), NexStar telescopes aren’t tethered to civilization – they carry it with them. Best of all, those sophisticated electronics are designed by the highly skilled engineers of Celestron, right down to the circuit boards, for tested superior performance.

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new NexStar 8i.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar's MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

Observing the Planets
Other fascinating targets include the five naked-eye planets. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn, with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power. Remember that atmospheric conditions are usually the limiting factor on how much planetary detail will be visible. So avoid observing the planets when they are low on the horizon or when they are directly over a source of radiating heat, such as a rooftop or chimney.

The Nuts and Bolts

Optical Tube Star Pointer Finderscope Eyepiece Star Diagonal Focuser Knob Battery Compartment ON/OFF Switch / 12v power Fork Arm Hand Control Schmidt Corrector Plate (not shown)

Product Description

Nexstar 8i Schmidt-Cassegrain Modular Telescope
The distinctive patented fork arm with ergonomically designed integrated hand control cradle gives solid support to Celestronâ?TMs classic 8" optics. The NexStar 8i features SCT 8" aperture optics with StarBright multi-coating, powerful 2,032mm focal length and f/10 focal ratio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use!, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Celestron Nexstar 8i Computerized Go-To Telescope Kit (Electronics)

I just recently bought my first "real" telescope (the Nexstar 8i) after doing much research and calling several astronomers. The Nexstar 8i is simple to use [...] and optional GPS. The Nexstar 8i is light weight, portable, and easy to take out to the field. I would recommend this telescope for any serious student of astronomy.