My big black 8-incher

Posted by @ 12:22 pm on Wednesday 23rd January, 2008.
Categories: Astrostuff, Shiny new kit

During the day, it hides in the wardrobe...

at night, it just wants to go out and have fun, see the sights, shoot the moon, that sort of thing...

I predict that we can look forward to a deep and meaningful relationship.

 

 

It's a Celestron Advanced C8-N, by the way. Here's the low-down:

General Details:

  • High quality 8" reflector
  • 9x50 finderscope with bi-directional alignment screws and a spring loaded pivot support
  • 2" focuser allows for use with 2" or 1.25" eyepieces
  • Slow motion controls for smooth tracking action
  • Heavy Duty (CG-5) German equatorial mount
  • Ultra sturdy 2" diameter steel tripod with accessory tray
  • Includes CD-ROM "The Sky" Astronomy Software which provides education about the sky and printable sky maps

Technical Information:

  • OPTICAL DESIGN: Reflector
  • APERTURE: 200 mm (7.87 in)
  • FOCAL LENGTH: 1000 mm (39.37 in)
  • FOCAL RATIO: 5
  • FINDERSCOPE: 9x50
  • MOUNT: CG-5 Equatorial
  • EYEPIECE 1: 20 mm (0.79 in)
  • MAGNIFICATION 1: 50 x
  • ACCESSORY TRAY: Yes
  • TRIPOD: 2 (two) inch Stainless Steel
  • CD ROM: The Sky Level 1
  • HIGHEST USEFUL MAGNIFICATION: 480 x
  • LIMITING STELLAR MAGNITUDE: 14
  • RESOLUTION: 0.69 arc seconds
  • RESOLVING POWER: 0.58 arc seconds
  • PHOTOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION: 400 line/mm
  • LIGHT GATHERING POWER: 843 x
  • ANGULAR FIELD OF VIEW: 1 °
  • LINEAR FIELD OF VIEW (@1000 YDS): 52.5 ft (16 m)
  • OPTICAL COATINGS: Aluminum
  • SECONDARY MIRROR OBSTRUCTION: 2.2 in (55.88 mm)
  • SECONDARY MIRROR OBSTRUCTION BY AREA: 8 %
  • SECONDARY MIRROR OBSTRUCTION BY DIAMETER: 27.5 %
  • OPTICAL TUBE LENGTH: 37 in (939.8 mm)
  • TOTAL WEIGHT: 67 lb (30.39 kg)
  • TELESCOPE WEIGHT: Approx 19 lb (9 kg)
  • COUNTERWEIGHTS: 2x11lb

Normally priced up at around £375, they're currently on sale at £249 (inc. VAT and delivery) at various places, I got mine from Rother Valley Optics.

6 Responses to “My big black 8-incher”

  1. Gordy says:
    Wednesday 23rd January, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    Is there something wrong with the scale of that photo or is it actually seven feet tall?

    Reply? or Quote in reply?
  2. BG! says:
    Wednesday 23rd January, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    It's a wide-angle/perspective illusion. I'm 5'6" and I can just reach to see into the eyepiece (out of sight at the top of the tube, next to the finderscope) while the setup's as shown (both axis-thingies set at 45 degrees). Point the beast straight up and extend the tripod legs and it tops out at about 8 foot.

    Methinks I may need a ladder or some such device!

    Reply? or Quote in reply?
  3. GeoffC says:
    Wednesday 23rd January, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    This brings it all back!.
    I had a classic orange Celestron C8 (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain) years ago when I was into astronomy and saw some wonderful sights.

    Does the new C8-N have a computer interface for automatic slewing and to assist in polar alignment?. That was always the biggest pain in the pre-PC days.

    Reply? or Quote in reply?
  4. BG! says:
    Wednesday 23rd January, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    I considered Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrains, a lot easier to handle but harder to mod. There are good deals about, like http://www.firstlightoptics.co.....?prod=C6se (GOTO on alt-az not eq) and http://www.celestron.uk.com/ca.....emID=30630 (eq but no GOTO).

    My C8-N's just a scope on a eq, the C8-N GT has GOTO but it's £595 all-in and the motors sound like coffee-grinders! A Skywatcher Synscan upgrade kit for my mount is currently £315 (less 10% possible discount for being on the SGL forum), it's much better than the Celestron version and it does more. Slew, track, error and backlash compensation, various alignment modes, laptop interface for mount and camera, tour the sky, takes care of polar alignment etc..

    Of course, none of these whizz-bang features can provide a clear night. 🙁

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  5. Dawn says:
    Friday 25th January, 2008 at 10:24 am

    How do you carry that up the hill?

    Reply? or Quote in reply?
  6. BG! says:
    Friday 25th January, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    I'll get my manservant to carry it, but it'll mean that we have go without the billiard table.
    😆

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