Striking a comfortable balance between power and portability, the Celestron C8-A-XLT CGE 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope is an ideal choice for observing objects within or beyond our solar system. It features a Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system consisting of a corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror that work together to reduce spherical and chromatic aberrations. These corrections result in crisp and clear high-resolution images with accurate color representation, without distortion?especially at the edges. Complementing the optical system is the proprietary StarBright XLT optical coating system, which improves light transmission and reflectivity across the entire visual spectrum.





The optical tube is outfitted with a standard 1.25" visual back to make it easier to find eyepieces, accessories, and imaging gear. For visual observations, a 1.25" star diagonal is included along with a 25mm eyepiece that yields 81x magnification. The C8-A-XLT is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who already have a reliable support system and are looking to upgrade or add to their existing gear, but comes with a larger CGE dovetail plate that is compatible with Losmandy-style saddles.Celestron's CGX GoTo EQ Mount Head improves on their venerable CGEM platform to provide users with a heavy-duty research-quality mount for large optical tube assemblies (OTAs), accessories, and imaging rigs. Engineered to carry a 55-pound payload, it has high-torque motors and heavy-duty belt-drive system to improve tracking stability and reduce backlash which enable it to smoothly and accurately track near- and deep-sky objects for long periods of time. Its Vixen/Losmandy dual dovetail saddle makes the mount compatible with most plates in use today.





The brain of the CGX EQ is the NexStar computer controller. Equipped with a database of 40,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog, it can also be programmed with up to 100 user-defined objects and filters for custom lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface allows you to observe the heavens with nine slew speeds and three tracking rates, plus anti-backlash compensation and Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) for smoother movements in the motors and improved tracking over time. Features such as guided tours, extended information on 200 popular objects, and multiple alignment options make the NexStar controller easy to use for new users and experienced stargazers.Designed to support their CGX equatorial mount, the Celestron CGX Tripod has large 2" diameter legs to provide a solid and sturdy platform for the mount head plus an optical tube assembly and accessories. To accommodate a variety of users, optical tube styles, and viewing positions, the legs can adjust from 47.25 to 77.5" and terminate with spikes to provide solid footing. Graduated markings on the lower leg sections enable you to accurately repeat settings, saving setup and leveling time if you observe from the same location every night. Adding greater stability and vibration suppression, the center accessory tray acts as a leg spreader to lock them in-place while providing a convenient place to keep eyepieces, filters, or your phone safe and close to hand. Two 11-pound counterweights come in the box to assist in properly balancing your OTA on the mount head.