Celestrons signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 8SE. Its the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering impressive views at an economical price. Our Founders Vision, Reimagined for the 21st CenturyIn the 1970s, the classic Celestron 8 brought the hobby of astronomy to the masses and established Celestron as the worlds premier telescope maker. Our founder, Tom Johnson, invented Celestrons proprietary method of producing Schmidt corrector plates for superior views and maximum portability. Johnson believed in creating high-quality optical instruments at an affordable price, and inspired a generation of amateur astronomers. Four decades later, weve improved upon this design by adding cutting-edge features, while staying true to our founders intent. Big Mirror, Small PriceWith a full 8 inches of aperture, the 8SE reveals details in even the faintest celestial objects. With this much light-gathering ability, youll clearly observe Cassinis Division in Saturns rings, the cloud bands on Jupiter, and the Great Red Spot. Beyond the solar system, your 8SE will show you hundreds of pinpoint stars in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and more. And dont forget the Moonyoull see craters and geographic features like never before. Revolutionary Single Fork Arm MountWe know the best telescope is the one you will use most often. Thats why Celestrons engineers created NexStar SEs unique, patented single fork arm mount. Its perfectly portable and makes setup quick and easy. Whats more, the NexStar SE breaks down into several lightweight and compact pieces, making it easy to transport, even in small vehicles. Youll have no problem getting the NexStar SE to your favorite observing site, or setting it up quickly in your backyard. Of course, its whats inside the mount that really counts. Sturdy construction from high-quality components give NexStar SE the pointing and tracking accuracy needed to observe and follow your favorite targets with pushbutton ease. Use the included NexStar+ hand control to locate over 40,000 celestial objects, or take a Sky Tour and let your telescope show you the best objects currently visible. Aligning your telescope is simple and painless, too, thanks to SkyAlign. This process makes alignment as easy as 1-2-3: just center three bright objects in your eyepiece and press ALIGN. For even easier alignment, attach our StarSense AutoAlign and your NexStar SE aligns itself! Advanced Features Let the NexStar SE Grow with YouThe NexStar SE is compatible with all the high-tech accessories advanced users love. Control your telescope using your iPhone or iPad with our SkyQ Link, or add GPS functionality with SkySync. If youre interested in astroimaging, the NexStar SE is Fastar-compatible for ultra-fast, wide field imaging. For planetary imaging, theres no better choice than a NexStar 8SE paired with one of our Skyris cameras. From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar SE is your trusted companion.