Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 Computerized Telescope

The 8-inch WiFi telescope with a built-in battery

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 puts a full 8-inch (203mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain on Celestron's most user-friendly computerized mount. Control it from your phone or tablet over built-in WiFi, observe for about 10 hours on the built-in rechargeable battery, and point it by hand anytime with manual clutches on both axes. It's the Evolution we recommend most: enough aperture for detailed planets and bright galaxies, in a kit that still weighs about 40 lbs.

The NexStar Evolution 8 is on display in our Denver store, so you can see it in person before you buy.

Why choose the NexStar Evolution 8

• No batteries or power cords in the field: the built-in lithium battery runs about 10 hours, and a USB port charges your phone.
• WiFi control: find and track objects with the free SkyPortal app, or use the included NexStar+ hand control.
• Manual clutches: point the telescope by hand without losing alignment.
• Sturdier mount: brass worm gears and a heavier-duty fork arm than the NexStar 8SE, so the view settles faster when you focus.

What you'll see

• The Moon: craters, rilles and mountain ranges in fine detail.
• Planets: Jupiter's cloud belts and Great Red Spot, the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, the phases of Venus, and surface markings on Mars when it's close to Earth.
• Deep sky: hundreds of stars resolved in the Hercules Globular Cluster, the Ring and Dumbbell Nebulae, and from a dark site, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy.

What to add for the best views

The Evolution 8 comes with 40mm (51x) and 13mm (156x) eyepieces. The 13mm is already a great power for the Moon and planets on typical nights, so upgrades are about a wider, sharper, more comfortable view, and filling the gap between 51x and 156x.

• Upgrade the 13mm: the Celestron X-Cel LX 12mm (169x) has 16mm of eye relief and a 60° field. The Tele Vue 13mm DeLite (156x) adds Tele Vue sharpness and 20mm of eye relief, and the Tele Vue 13mm Nagler Type 6 (156x) gives an immersive 82° field.
• Mid power: the Celestron X-Cel LX 18mm (113x) or Celestron X-Cel LX 25mm (81x) fills the gap between the included eyepieces, ideal for globular clusters, planetary nebulae and galaxies.
• Widest views: the Tele Vue 24mm Panoptic gives 85x with the widest field a 1.25-inch eyepiece can show.

• A Moon filter: a variable polarizing filter dims the bright Moon to a comfortable level and brings out surface detail.
• Dew shield: the front corrector plate dews up on humid nights. The Celestron Dew Shield DX for 6"–8" SCTs keeps it clear longer, and its cutout fits around the dovetail.
• A case: the Celestron Deluxe Case for 8"–11" SCTs protects the telescope in storage and on the road, with wheels and a pull-out handle.
• Automatic alignment: the StarSense AutoAlign V2 aligns the telescope for you automatically in a few minutes.

Compare the NexStar Evolution telescopes

Also comparing the NexStar 8SE? It uses the same 8-inch optics on a lighter mount with AA batteries. Already have a mount? The Celestron C8 optical tube is the same optics on its own. Our Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope guide compares every size, from 5" to 11".

What's in the box

• 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT coatings
• NexStar Evolution single fork arm mount with built-in WiFi and rechargeable battery
• Stainless steel tripod with accessory tray
• NexStar+ hand control
• 40mm and 13mm eyepieces (51x and 156x)
• 1.25" star diagonal and visual back
• Red-dot finderscope
• AC adapter

NexStar Evolution 8 FAQ

Is the NexStar Evolution 8 good for beginners?

Yes. The SkyPortal app walks you through alignment and finds objects for you, and the built-in battery removes the most common first-night frustration: dead AA batteries. Take a few minutes with the manual before your first night out.

Evolution 8 or NexStar 8SE?

Both use the same 8-inch optics. The Evolution adds built-in WiFi, a built-in rechargeable battery, manual clutches, a sturdier mount with brass worm gears that settles faster, and a second eyepiece. The 8SE costs less but runs on AA batteries or external power.

Evolution 8 or the Evolution 8 EdgeHD?

The Evolution 8 EdgeHD adds StarSense automatic alignment and EdgeHD optics that keep stars sharp to the edge of a camera sensor. For visual observing, the standard Evolution 8 performs essentially the same.

What eyepiece upgrades do you recommend?

The included 13mm already gives 156x, right in the sweet spot for planets. For a more comfortable view, upgrade it to the Celestron X-Cel LX 12mm or the Tele Vue 13mm DeLite. Add the Celestron X-Cel LX 18mm or Celestron X-Cel LX 25mm for mid power, and the Tele Vue 24mm Panoptic for the widest views.

How long does the battery last?

About 10 hours on a full charge. Recharge it with the included AC adapter. A USB port on the mount can also charge your phone or tablet.

Can I do astrophotography with the Evolution 8?

Yes, for the Moon and planets: a planetary camera and short video captures produce excellent results. The Evolution 8 is also Fastar compatible for fast wide-field imaging with a HyperStar lens. Longer deep-sky exposures need the Celestron Wedge for NexStar Evolution/SE to cancel field rotation.

Can I see one before I buy?

Yes. The NexStar Evolution 8 is on display in our Denver store, and we're happy to show you how it sets up and connects to the app.

Specifications