8" SCT Optical Tube Assembly (CGE)
$1,349.95
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8" SCT Optical Tube Assembly (CGE)
$1,349.95
8-Inch Aperture
Massive Light Gathering Power
StarBright XLT
Premium Optical Coating System
Fastar System
Ultra Fast f/2 Astrophotography
2032mm Focal Length
Powerful f/10 Focal Ratio
Aluminum Construction
Lightweight and Durable Housing
CGE Dovetail
Easy Mount System Attachment
Explore Deep SpaceIconic Optics for Amateur Astronomy
The Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly provides an incredible balance of portability, light-gathering power, and sharp contrast for stargazers and astrophotographers. Featuring high-transmission StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility, this 8-inch optical tube assembly delivers breathtaking views of the Moon, planets, and distant deep-sky objects.
Unmatched Optical PerformanceClassic Design Meets Modern Capabilities
Building on Celestron's iconic design heritage, the Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly features a rugged aluminum housing measuring just 17 inches long and weighing only 12.5 lbs. With a 2032mm focal length and focal ratio of f/10, this compact telescope optical tube excels at revealing fine surface details on celestial bodies as well as faint nebulae and galaxies. The inclusion of patented StarBright XLT optical coatings optimizes light transmission up to 97.4%, providing high-contrast visual observing and shorter exposure times for imaging. Furthermore, the versatile Fastar technology allows observers to remove the secondary mirror to convert the system into a lightning-fast f/2 imaging setup, cutting astrophotography exposure times significantly. Complete with a CGE dovetail bar, visual back, star diagonal, and finderscope, the Celestron C8-A is ready to attach to a variety of modern computerized mounts for an unparalleled astronomy experience.
Technical SpecificationsDetailed Telescope Optical Parameters
Optical Design
Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture
203.2mm (8") (target)
Focal Length
2032mm (80") (ruler)
Focal Ratio
f/10
Optical Coatings
StarBright XLT
Optical Tube Material
Aluminum
Optical Tube Length
432mm (17") (ruler)
Optical Tube Diameter
238mm (9.37") (circle)
Optical Tube Weight
12.5 lbs (5.67 kg) (weight)
Finderscope
6x30
Star Diagonal
1.25" Star Diagonal
Included Eyepiece
25mm (81x magnification) (eye)
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
843x compared to human eye
Secondary Mirror Obstruction
64mm (2.5") (circle)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter
31% (pie-chart)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area
9.77% (pie-chart)
Dovetail
CGE Dovetail Bar
Key Optical FeaturesEngineered for Visuals and Imaging
Optical Design8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (OTA) (eye)
Optical CoatingsCelestron patented StarBright XLT high-transmission coatings
Focal Specs2032mm focal length with f/10 focal ratio
Fastar CompatibilityRemovable secondary mirror for ultra-fast f/2 astrophotography
ConstructionLightweight and durable aluminum optical tube
Dovetail MountAttached CGE style dovetail bar for broad mount compatibility
Included Accessories25mm eyepiece, 6x30 optical finderscope, star diagonal, and 1.25" visual back
Frequently Asked QuestionsEverything you need to know
What mounts are compatible with the Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly?
The Celestron C8-A comes equipped with a CGE (CGEM) style dovetail bar, making it directly compatible with modern equatorial and computerized mounts designed to accept standard CGE/Losmandy-style dovetails.
What is Fastar technology on the Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly?
Fastar technology allows you to remove the secondary mirror of the Celestron C8-A and replace it with a field flattener lens assembly and camera, transforming the telescope into an ultra-fast f/2 prime focus system for short-exposure astrophotography.
What accessories come included with the Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly?
The Celestron C8-A OTA includes a 25mm eyepiece (providing 81x magnification), a 6x30 optical finderscope, a 1.25" star diagonal, a 1.25" visual back, and an installed CGE style dovetail mounting bar.
What are StarBright XLT coatings on the Celestron C8-A 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly?
StarBright XLT is Celestron's proprietary optical coating system, utilizing multi-layer mirror coatings and high-transmission water white glass to achieve up to 97.4% total light transmission for brighter views and sharper optical contrast.