8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (OTA) Features:

  • Celestron’s premium patented StarBright XLT optical coatings
  • 2032 mm focal length (f/10)
  • Fastar compatible
  • Tube constructed of durable and lightweight aluminium
  • 25mm eyepiece (81x), 6×30 optical finderscope, star diagonal, 1.25” visual back,
  • CGE Losmandy style dovetail bar

The Celestron C8-A is the direct (but much improved) descendent of Celestron’s revolutionary C8 that transformed the hobby of astronomy when it was unveiled in 1970. This rugged aluminium optical tube is only 17 inches long and weighs just 13 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up. But the views are much more impressive than what you’d expect from such a compact instrument. The tube offers 2032 mm of focal length and a focal ratio of f/10, with the added versatility of Fastar (see below).

It is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.

The Celestron C8-A can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM style dovetail bar. This iconic optical tube provides the best balance of portability, handling ease, light gathering ability and price ever offered to the amateur astronomer.

Fastar Technology

In 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.

With Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f/10 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.

For more information about our Fastar technology, visit here.

StarBright XLT coatings

StarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:

  • Unique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminium, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.
  • Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.
  • High-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.

These three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit here.

OPTICAL TUBE INFO:
Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture: 203.2mm (8″)
Focal Length: 2032mm (80″)
Focal Ratio: f/10
Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25mm (0.98″)
Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 81x
Finderscope: 6×30
Star Diagonal: 1.25″ Star Diagonal
Optical Tube: Aluminium
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: CGE Losmandy Style Dovetail Bar
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.

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Celestron C8 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope OTA (CGE Dovetail)

SKU: CEL-91024-XLT

$1,999.00

Available on back-order

✅ Fast Shipping & Tracking
✅ Stocked in Melbourne, Australia
✅ Expert Advice
✅ Lifetime Technical Support
Ships in 7 days

    Need Expert Advice?

    Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

    Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293

    Celestron C8 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope OTA (CGE Dovetail)

    SKU: CEL-91024-XLT

    $1,999.00

    Available on backorder

    Ships in 7 days

    8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (OTA) Features:

    • Celestron’s premium patented StarBright XLT optical coatings
    • 2032 mm focal length (f/10)
    • Fastar compatible
    • Tube constructed of durable and lightweight aluminium
    • 25mm eyepiece (81x), 6×30 optical finderscope, star diagonal, 1.25” visual back,
    • CGE Losmandy style dovetail bar

    The Celestron C8-A is the direct (but much improved) descendent of Celestron’s revolutionary C8 that transformed the hobby of astronomy when it was unveiled in 1970. This rugged aluminium optical tube is only 17 inches long and weighs just 13 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up. But the views are much more impressive than what you’d expect from such a compact instrument. The tube offers 2032 mm of focal length and a focal ratio of f/10, with the added versatility of Fastar (see below).

    It is equipped with Celestron’s patented StarBright® XLT optical coatings, which visibly increase contrast and light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times. With StarBright XLT, you’ll be able to discern subtle details while viewing the Moon and planets as well as faint galaxies and nebulae.

    The Celestron C8-A can be mounted on a multitude of computerized telescope mounts thanks to its CGEM style dovetail bar. This iconic optical tube provides the best balance of portability, handling ease, light gathering ability and price ever offered to the amateur astronomer.

    Fastar Technology

    In 1997, CCDs were making a name for themselves in the astrophotography world, quickly supplanting traditional film photography thanks to their speed and convenience. This was the year that Celestron joined forces with the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) to produce Fastar, a revolutionary add-on to Celestron’s hugely popular Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical system.

    With Fastar, the SCT’s secondary mirror can be removed and replaced with a field-flattening lens assembly (sold separately by third party manufacturers) so that a CCD camera can be used in the front of the telescope at the f/2 focus of the instrument’s primary mirror. The potential of the Fastar system is staggering: exposures are 25 times shorter than if the camera was placed at the instrument’s native f/10 focus. Imagers can capture galaxies and nebulae with exposures of just 30 seconds.

    For more information about our Fastar technology, visit here.

    StarBright XLT coatings

    StarBright XLT is Celestron’s revolutionary optical coating system. It consistently outperforms all other coatings in the commercial telescope market. There are three major components that make up our StarBright XLT high-transmission optical system design:

    • Unique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings made from precise layers of aluminium, SiO2 (quartz), TiO2 (titanium dioxide), and SiO2 (silicon dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both imaging and visual observing.
    • Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings made from precise layers of MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide). Hafnium—a rare element that costs nearly $2,000 per kilogram—gives us a wider band pass than the titanium used in competing coatings.
    • High-transmission water white glass is used instead of soda lime glass for the corrector lens. Water white glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings; that’s 3.5% better than uncoated soda lime glass. When water white glass is used in conjunction with StarBright XLT’s anti-reflective coatings, the average transmission reaches an astonishing 97.4.

    These three components make StarBright XLT one of the finest coatings available. For more information about our patented StarBright XLT coatings, visit here.

    OPTICAL TUBE INFO:
    Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain
    Aperture: 203.2mm (8″)
    Focal Length: 2032mm (80″)
    Focal Ratio: f/10
    Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25mm (0.98″)
    Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 81x
    Finderscope: 6×30
    Star Diagonal: 1.25″ Star Diagonal
    Optical Tube: Aluminium
    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: CGE Losmandy Style Dovetail Bar
    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.

    Reviews

    There are no reviews yet.

    Be the first to review “Celestron C8 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope OTA (CGE Dovetail)”

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Need Expert Advice?

      Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

      Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293