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This iteration of the NexStar Evolution 8 203mm f/10 EdgeHD Aplanatic Cassegrain GoTo Telescope from Celestron is a powerful, versatile, and user-friendly compact catadioptric-style scope that can be used for observing everything from the Moon and planets to deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. The EdgeHD optical system is designed to virtually eliminate spherical and chromatic aberrations so views through it are flat and distortion-free across the entire field of view, with accurate color rendition. Using Celestron's proprietary StarBright XLT multi-coating system, light transmission is increased throughout the entire optical path with anti-reflection multi-coated lenses, highly reflective multi-coated mirrors, and four-element rare-earth glass. While the focal ratio is a slow f/10, the scope's precision tracking system, complemented by the StarSense AutoAlign system and distortion-free optical qualities, allow it to be a competent astrophotography/astroimaging platform for the Moon, planets, prominent deep-sky objects, and wide-field photos.
The Evolution comes with Celestron's StarSense AutoAlign system. Using a digital camera, it takes photos of the star field where the scope is pointed, then interfaces with an internal database to align itself. It requires virtually no input from the user except to turn it on and to confirm its position when it is finished. The scope connects to Celestron's free SkyPortal app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets via an internal WiFi module. Once aligned, the app opens up the scope's true capabilities. It has a database of over 120,000 objects and offers guided tours, automatic tracking rates for near- and deep-sky objects, and multiple slew speeds. A secondary way to control the mount is using the wired NexStar hand controller. Outfitted with a smaller database, but with similar functionality, using the controller makes the entire system completely self-contained.
Designed for portability, the Evolution features a long-life lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery providing up to 10 hours of continual use on a single charge. The scope comes with an AC power supply with plugs for the US, EU, UK, and AU outlets so it can go with you when you chase eclipses or other celestial events across the world. The battery powers the servo motors, auxiliary accessory ports, a USB charging port, and the built-in WiFi. Manual clutches in both altitude and azimuth enable you to manually move and point the telescope when it's powered off.
- 203mm (8") aperture
- f/10 focal ratio
- 2032mm focal length
- Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric optical path
- Crown optical glass primary mirror
- Proprietary EdgeHD optics correct spherical and chromatic aberrations to produce distortion-free images across the entire field of view with true color representation
- StarBright XLT optical coatings: Multi-layer aluminum/SiO2 (quartz)/TiO2 (titanium dioxide) mirror coatings with flat reflectivity across the light spectrum for both astrophotography/astroimaging and visual observation
- Multi-layer MgF2 (magnesium fluoride) and HfO2 (hafnium dioxide) anti-reflective lens coatings
- High-transmission water white glass corrector lens with 97.4% light transmission
- Internal focusing mechanism
- Resolution: 0.59 arcsec (Rayleigh); 0.57 arcsec (Dawes)
- Fastar capability: Secondary mirror can be removed and a DSLR or imaging rig mounted in its place for fast wide-field astrophotography
- Integrated digital camera takes photos of night sky and cross-references an internal database to determine location
- Alignment takes minutes, with minimal effort or experience
- No need to point it North or to perfectly level the scope
- StarSense hand controller included for those who prefer not to interface with smartphone or tablet
- Connect your smart device to the telescope via direct WiFi connection, no router required
- Align and control the telescope from your device
- App uses the device's camera and compass to determine location and what is available to see
- Enjoy the same features as NexStar controller, but without wires
- Expanded database to over 120,000 objects
- Detailed information on over 200 popular objects including audio commentary, statistics, history, mythology, video, and pictures
- Simulate the night sky up to 100 years in the past or future to plan an upcoming observing session
- Compass Mode: Hold device up to the night sky and identify objects such as stars, planets, and galaxies; zoom in to view fainter objects not visible to the naked eye
- Night Vision Mode: Preserves night-adjusted vision
- Listen to more than four hours of audio narration to learn the history, mythology, and science of astronomy and the night sky
- Works as a stand-alone planetarium app
- Free for Android 4.0 and later or iOS 7.0 and later mobile devices
- Database includes:
- Solar system: Sun, Moon, planets
- Star clusters
- Nebulae
- Galaxies
- Asteroids and comets
- Satellites and the International Space Station
- 2-line, 16-character LCD display
- 19 fiber optic backlit red LED buttons
- Database of over 40,000 celestial objects plus 100 user defined
- Automatically slew to planets, stars, constellations, and a variety of catalogs
- Camera control: For piggyback wide field or conventional astrophotography through the OTA, the controller can automatically trigger the shutter release to capture the image
- Anti-backlash compensation programs-out play between gears for more precise tracking
- Tour Mode: Shows a selection of the most popular objects for the time and date you are observing
- Constellation Tour: Allows the user to take a tour of all the best objects within a particular constellation
- Alignment procedures: SkyAlign, Auto 2-Star, 1-Star, 2-Star, and Solar System
- SkyAlign alignment: Takes minutes, with minimal effort or experience–point the telescope at three bright objects in the sky, and the telescope does the rest
- Nine slew speeds: 4°/sec, 2°/sec, 1°/sec, 0.5°/sec, 2x, 4x, 8x,16x, and 32x
- Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates for observing the fast-moving Moon, to slower-moving deep space subjects
- RS-232 communication port allows for computer control
- Flash updateable via the Celestron website
- Database Details:
- Solar system objects including the Sun, Moon, and planets
- Named objects
- Stars: Asterims, variable stars, double stars, named stars
- Caldwell catalog
- Messier catalog
- NGC catalog
- SAO catalog
- Constellations
- Mount:
- Motorized single-arm alt-azimuth fork mount
- Altitude and azimuth clutches to manually point the telescope when it is powered off
- Brass worm gears with steel ball bearings provide smooth movement with reduced vibration
- 146mm diameter/180-tooth stainless steel worm wheels
- Ports: One port for NexStar+ controller; one 5 VDC USB charging port for smartphones and small electronics; three auxiliary ports for optional accessories such as StarSense AutoAlign system
- Runs on one internal rechargeable 9.6V, 4.5Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
- Includes power supply with US, EU, UK, and AU plugs
- Tripod:
- Stainless steel two-section legs
- Adjustable height accommodates a variety of users and viewing positions
- Spikes at the end of the legs provide a sure footing on soft or uneven ground
- Tray keeps accessories and equipment safe and organized
- No tools required to set up mount and tripod
- Eyepieces:
- 1.25"-diameter barrel accept most filters
- Anti-reflection multi-coated glass
- Fold-down rubber eyecups for use with or without eyeglasses
- 40mm eyepiece produces 51x magnification
- 12.5mm eyepiece produces 162x magnification
- Diagonal:
- 1.25" snout and eyepiece holder
- 90° angle places head in comfortable position when optical tube assembly is pointed at or near the zenith
- Star mirror diagonal corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
- Finderscope:
- Projects a single red dot in line of sight
- Unmagnified view ensures a wide field of view to make finding objects faster and star-hopping navigation easier