Celestron Advanced VX 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Explore the cosmos with the Celestron Advanced VX 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, a pinnacle of mid-level astronomical equipment that brings professional-grade features to amateur astronomers at an exceptional value. This high-quality telescope is perfectly suited for both seasoned astrophotographers and visual observers who demand portability without sacrificing performance.Boasting an 8-inch aperture, this Schmidt-Cassegrain model captures 84% more light than a 6-inch telescope, ensuring brighter and more detailed images of the night sky's wonders. Its superior light-gathering ability is complemented by the telescope's design, which effectively eliminates chromatic aberration, making it an excellent choice for crisp astroimaging.The Advanced VX mount, a cornerstone of Celestron's innovation, is engineered for outstanding stability and precision tracking. It incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as All-Star Polar Alignment for accurate setup, Celestron PWI telescope control software for seamless operation, SkyAlign for easy alignment of celestial objects, and permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC) to enhance the tracking accuracy.Whether you're an experienced imager seeking a portable mount for dark sky expeditions or a beginner eager to delve into the hobby, the Advanced VX is designed to evolve with your growing astrophotography needs. The computerized German equatorial mount, the most compact in Celestron's lineup, features GoTo capability that automatically follows stars and planets as they journey across the sky.The Advanced VX mount is equipped with multiple ports, including connections for a hand control, an autoguider, and two AUX ports for additional accessories. The intuitive NexStar+ hand control grants immediate access to all the mount's features, with automatic slewing and descriptive menus that make mastering the mount a breeze for astronomers at any skill level.Stability is paramount, and the Advanced VX does not disappoint with its robust tripod, featuring 2-inch diameter steel legs that provide a solid foundation. The mount's payload capacity is an impressive 30 lbs, allowing for a variety of Advanced VX optical tubes and optional equipment such as StarSense AutoAlign, Focus Motor, a finderscope, and a camera, without the need to account for the weight of the counterweights.As of early 2019, the Advanced VX mounts now include a versatile dual saddle plate compatible with both CG-5 and CGE-style dovetails. This feature enables quick and easy transitions between different optical tubes, ensuring your mount is as adaptable as your passion for astronomy.Included with the Advanced VX is Celestron's renowned PWI Telescope Control Software, co-developed with PlaneWave Instruments. This comprehensive suite transforms your computer into a virtual observatory with a graphical planetarium interface, advanced mount modeling, and complete ASCOM telescope interface for third-party software integration.Furthermore, each purchase comes with a complimentary download of Celestron's Starry Night Special Edition Software. This powerful program enriches your astronomical experience with detailed explorations of celestial objects and assists in planning your next observation or imaging session, complete with telescope control capabilities.Embark on your celestial journey with the Celestron Advanced VX 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, where innovation, performance, and versatility meet to unlock the mysteries of the universe.