The SkyAlign feature is used on several Celestron mounts including the NexStar GT, NexStar SLT, NexStar SE, NexStar Evolution, SkyProdigy, Astro Fi WiFi, and CPC telescopes. The big aperture on the NexStar 8Se will show dimmer objects like galaxies and nebulae in detail and, with its ability to deliver high magnification, it’s ideal for seeing the Moon and observing the planets. You can comfortably push it beyond 200x for bright objects in good seeing.

Before StarSense, using a computerized telescope required a lengthy alignment process of finding and centering at least two bright stars in the telescope’s eyepiece. But StarSense automatically aligns itself with minimal user input. Just enter your time, date, and location and let StarSense do the rest! Prefers a computerized motor to do the object hunting – which is ideal if you have a light-polluted sky or your astronomy joy comes from seeing objects, rather than star-hopping for them For example, you could get a Celestron StarSense Explorer 12″ Dobsonian for roughly the same price. Although this telescope is completely manual, you now have 12 inches of aperture at F/4.9.After attaching our iPad using the supplied cable and our own adaptor, we were also able to use a sky app to move the scope to objects in its database. If you received a red dot finderscope that looks like the unit pictured here, follow the instructions below to replace the battery:

The optics in the NexStar 8SE are incredibly well made and provide brilliant image clarity and detail. They have Celestron’s own Starbright XLT coating for better light transmission and, as should be the case with a well-constructed compound scope, there are almost no noticeable aberrations. Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes require collimation from time to time (some say about once a year), and this can be a daunting task if the process is new to you. The adapter clamps on to the objective of the eyepiece (both 1.25″ and 2″ eyepieces), and securely holds your phone in place.The NexStar 8SE is a reimagining of the classic Celestron 8 which revolutionized amateur astronomy in the 1970’s. The 8SE features the same iconic “orange tube” design but has been updated with all of the latest features to ensure that the user receives the best stargazing experience whether they be an amateur or experienced observer. When you see a picture of Celestron’s 8-incher, you might not appreciate just how easy it is to set up and transport.