Celestron-C8A is 8.0"/203mm Aluminum Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Optical Tube Assembly

Celestron C8-A Telescope 17" long aluminum optical tube weighs only 13 lbs., making it easy to transport. CelestronC8A Telescope has an 8" aperture, a 2032 mm focal length, and a focal ratio of f/10.

Starbright multicoatings are standard for CelestronC8-A. These include high reflectivity 5-layer enhanced aluminum mirror coatings, plus magnesium fluoride antireflection coatings on both sides of the Schmidt corrector lens. These multicoatings visibly increase contrast on subtle lunar, planetary, and nebula details when compared with a scope with standard coatings. They also give you higher light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times during photography.

The C-8A 's optics are hand-figured. Hand figuring the optical system is a complex optical procedure done on a commercial basis only by Celestron.

The optics of CelestronC-8-A Telescopes are Fastar Compatible. This special optical system allows CCD imaging at an incredibly fast f/1.9 focal ratio.

Celestron C-8-A Telescopes come with a 6 x 30mm straight-through achromatic finderscope and mounting bracket. Also standard equipment for Celstron 8" Telescopes is a removable 1.25" visual back that holds visual accessories such as a star diagonal, tele-extender, etc. A 1.25" prism type star diagonal is also standard, as is a 1.25" 25mm Plössl eyepiece. Its field of view is 0.59 degrees, almost 20% larger than the full moon.

C8-A Telescopes are equipped with a dovetail slide bar for mounting on a Celestron CG5 or CG5 Computerized German equatorial mount. Optional split mounting rings are also available to put the tube on another mount of the buyer's choosing. Dust covers for the optics complete the supplied accessories.

Celestron C8-A Telescopes with SarBright XLT coating :
(models 91024XLT and  91020XLT)

With StarBright XLT Optical System Design you'll see the light.
One of the most important factors in the evaluation of a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope 's optical system performance is its transmission - the percentage of incoming light that reaches the focal plane. The design of the XLT System accomplishes two crucial objectives: Develop a coating system that is optimized for visual use and for CCD/Photographic imaging.

There are three major components that make up Celestron StarBrightXLT high transmission optical system design:

1. Unique enhanced multi-layer mirror coatings:
Celestron mirror coatings are made from precise layers of Al (Aluminum), SiO2 (quartz) and TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide). Reflectivity is fairly flat across the spectrum, optimizing it for both CCD imaging and visual use.

2. Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings:
Coatings are made from precise layers of MgF2 (Magnesium Fluoride), and HfO2 (Hafnium Dioxide). Hafnium gives a wider band pass than Titanium, used in comparable coatings.

3. High Transmission Water White glass :
Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain optical systems with optional StarBright XLT coatings use Water White glass instead of Soda Lime glass for the corrector lens. Water White glass transmits about 90.5% of light without anti-reflective coatings. That is 3.5% better transmission than uncoated Soda Lime glass. When Water White glass is used in conjunction with StarBright - XLT 's anti-reflective coatings, the average light transmission reaches 97.4% - an 8% improvement!

These three components of Celestron StarBright XLT coatings result in one of the finest coatings available. The peak light transmission for the systems is 89% at 520 nm. The overall system transmission is 83.5% averaged over the spectrum from 400 to 750 nm.

Click here to see details about StarBright XLT.

Optical Design:		Schmidt-Cassegrain
Focal Length:		2032mm
Focal Ratio:		f/10
Visual Limiting:		Magnitude
Optical Diameter:		8.0" (203mm)
Focal Length:		80.0" (2032mm)
Maximum Useful Magnification:		480x
Resolving Power (arc seconds):		0.68
Optical Coatings:		Starbright coatings
Optical Tube Dimensions:		17.0" (43.2 cm) Long
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter:		1.25"
Finderscope:		6x30mm
Weight:		13 lb (5.9 kg)

• Limiting stellar magnitude of 14.0
• Focus as close as 60' (18 m) for terrestial viewing
• Secondary mirror obstruction of 11.0%(by area)
• Aluminum tube materials
• Limiting stellar magnitude of 14.0

• Celestron C-8 A Telescope
• 6x30mm Finderscope
• 25mm (81x) Plossl Eyepiece (1.25")
• Star Diagonal and Visual Back
• Dovetail Slide Bar