NexStar Evolution 8 Telescope
Item #: 12091 / 12091-CGL- Explore the Universe and control your NexStar Evolution telescope with the free Celestron SkyPortal Powered by SkySafariTM app app for iOS and Android!
- Compact, portable 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility
- Computerized GoTo mount with high-performance brass worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash
- Rechargeable lithium-iron phosphate battery with enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing
- Improved industrial design with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device
Overview
- Explore the Universe and control your NexStar Evolution telescope with the free Celestron SkyPortal Powered by SkySafariTM app app for iOS and Android!
- Compact, portable 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility
- Computerized GoTo mount with high-performance brass worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash
- Rechargeable lithium-iron phosphate battery with enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing
- Improved industrial design with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device
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Description
"This robotic WiFi telescope is the coolest app-cessory in the galaxy"
-Wired.com
"5-star overall rating"
-BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The NexStar Evolution is the first Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with integrated WiFi. Leave your hand control behind and slew to all the best celestial objects with a tap of your smartphone or tablet. Connect your device to NexStar Evolution’s built-in wireless network, and explore the universe with the SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari™ mobile app for iOS and Android.
Use the planetarium interface to view the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on your time and location. Our proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built right into the SkyPortal mobile app, so you’re ready to observe within minutes.
The most user-friendly telescope ever
Celestron engineers designed NexStar Evolution based on years of customer feedback. It offers many thoughtful design features that combine to provide you the best possible experience out under the stars.
Forget about batteries or an external power supply. For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, NexStar Evolution includes its own built-in battery. With this ultra-long life lithium-iron phosphate battery, you’ll be able to enjoy stargazing marathons up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can even use NexStar Evolution’s USB charge port to top off the other devices in your life that need to stay powered on during an observing session. An intelligent power management system senses when battery levels are low and goes into power-saving mode to keep your telescope running for as long as possible.
Setting up your NexStar Evolution is quick and painless with large, ergonomic handles. The all-metal tripod features a metal accessory tray with indentations for storing and carrying the tripod. During setup, leg etchings help you achieve a level, uniform height for your telescope. Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth offer greater flexibility to manually point the telescope when powered off. Store up to 7 eyepieces in 2 accessory trays, one with an adjustable red LED illuminator.
Superior tracking fit for astroimaging
If you’re interested in astroimaging, the 8-inch NexStar Evolution is an excellent, affordable way to get started. It’s the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers brass worm gears, along with improved motors. NexStar Evolution’s tracking accuracy is so impressive, you can capture images of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula by simply attaching your DSLR camera. As you progress in the hobby of astroimaging, you can add our HD Pro Wedge to achieve longer exposures for more detailed astrophotos. NexStar Evolution compatible with the wedge when used with the CPC tripod (sold separately).
Of course, the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system offers bright, sharp views with StarBright XLT optical coatings—a great choice for visual observers and budding astroimagers alike.
NexStar Evolution is equipped with 4 auxiliary ports--2 on top of the fork and 2 on the bottom. A classic NexStar+ hand control is included, but is not necessary when using NexStar Evolution with the mobile app. The telescope also includes a StarPointer finderscope, two 1.25” Plossl eyepieces, a 1.25” star diagonal, and an AC adapter.
Specifications
| Optical Tube Info: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design: | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Aperture: | 203.2mm (8") |
| Focal Length: | 2032mm (80") |
| Focal Ratio: | f/10 |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: | 40mm (1.57") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 1: | 51x |
| Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: | 13mm (.51") |
| Magnification of Eyepiece 2: | 156x |
| Finderscope: | Red Dot Finderscope |
| Star Diagonal: | 1.25" Star Diagonal |
| Optical Tube: | Aluminum |
| 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: | CG-5 Dovetail bar |
| Mount Info: | |
| Mount Type: | Computerized Altitude-Azimuth Single Fork Arm |
| Instrument load capacity: | 25 lbs (11 kg) |
| Height adjustment range (includes mount and tripod): | 1193.8mm - 1752.6mm (47" – 69") |
| Tripod Leg Diameter: | 38.1mm (1.5") Stainless Steel |
| Mount Head Weight: | 16 lbs (7 kg) |
| Accessory Tray: | Yes |
| Tripod Weight: | 12 lbs (5.44 kg) |
| Slew Speeds: | 9 slew speeds - max speed 4°/second |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Solar and Lunar |
| Tracking Modes: | Alt-Az, EQ North and EQ South |
| GPS: | N/A |
| Dovetail Compatibility: | CG-5 saddle plate |
| Number of Auxiliary Ports: | 4 AUX Ports (Hand Control can use any of the AUX Ports) |
| Autoguide Port: | No |
| USB Port: | Yes, Hand Control input and Mount output |
| Power Requirements: | Internal 9 6V, 4 5Ah lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4) |
| Motor Drive: | DC servo motors |
| Alignment Procedures: | SkyAlign, 1-Star Align, 2-Star Align, Auto 2-Star Align, Solar System Align, Quick-Align, Last Alignment, EQ North / EQ South Alignment (EQ align requires an equatorial wedge) |
| Periodic Error Correction: | No |
| Computerized Hand Control: | 2 line x 18 character backlit Liquid Crystal Display, 19 LED backlit buttons, USB 2.0 Port for PC connection |
| NexStar+ Database: | Over 40,000 including 220 of the best deep sky and solar system objects |
| Software: | Celestron Starry Night Special Edition Software and SkyPortal App |
| Total Kit Weight: | 40.5 lbs (18.37 kg) |
| Included Items: |
Optical tube Single Fork Arm Mount and Tripod Accessory Tray Built-in Wifi Integrated Lithium-iron battery NexStar+ Hand Control 40mm and 13mm eyepiece Red dot finderscope Visual Back Star Diagonal 4 plug AC adapter |
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FAQ
What is the heaviest recommend load for mounting a camera in the Fastar / HyperStar configuraton?
We recommend a load of no more than 20 lbs. at 4.5 inches away from the 8" Schmidt corrector.
Why doesn’t my red dot finderscope match the image on the box/website?
Celestron is making a change to the finderscope shipped with some Celestron telescopes. In some cases, you may receive a finderscope that is different in appearance than the one pictured on the gift box, manual, Quick Setup Guide, or website. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Rest assured that the finders are identical in performance and features. The main difference is the location of the battery compartment and, therefore, the battery installation instructions.
If your red dot finderscope looks like the unit pictured here, you can ignore this message. 
If you received a red dot finderscope that looks like the unit pictured here, follow the instructions below to replace the battery: 
1. The battery compartment on this finderscope is located on top of the unit. Use a Philips-head screwdriver to loosen the screw holding the battery door closed. The screw is captured and will not fall out when you open the battery door. 
2. Lift the battery door open to expose the CR-2032 button battery.
3. With your fingernail on either side of the battery, pry the battery up and out of the battery compartment.
4. Place the new CR-2032 battery, positive (+) side up, under the two copper battery clips at the front of the battery compartment. 
5. Press the battery down to snap it into the plastic battery clips on the opposite side of the battery.
6. Close the battery door and tighten the Phillips-head screw to secure the door in place.
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