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A Monster of a Telescope That Has It All!
A powerful and capable telescope, the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is one of our most popular models for the Pro due to its elegant combination of precision optics, mechanical simplicity, and rock-solid stability. You and your whole family will appreciate the bright, clear views of the night sky provided by the XT8 Classic Dobsonian reflector. The Moon and planets of our solar system like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars shine brightly in the SkyQuest XT8 Classic, allowing you to inspect them in detail. The XT8’s 8" aperture is also large enough to gather a significant amount of light from more distant celestial objects for great views of sparkling star clusters, cloudy nebulas, and faraway galaxies. The XT8 Classic Dobsonian is a tremendous value considering the high quality views it provides on such a wide variety of celestial objects. This telescope has it all!
The SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is built around an 8" (203mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror mounted in a cast-aluminum support cell. The mirror collects 78% more light than a 6" mirror, so you get a significant increase in ability to observe dust lanes in nebulas, resolve the cores of prominent globular star clusters, and to reveal some of the more subtle structures in faint galaxies. The 1200mm focal length (f/5.9) XT8 mirror allows you to obtain clear and crisp views at moderate to high magnifications on clear nights with good seeing conditions. Enhanced-reflectivity mirror coatings boost the XT8 Classic Dobsonian’s mirror to 94% reflectivity so as much light as possible is transmitted to the eyepiece, for clear and bright views.
The Dobsonian base of the XT8 Classic provides a simple and stable low-profile altazimuth platform for the 8" aperture reflector optical tube. The tube attaches securely to the base by virtue of Orion’s CorrecTension Friction Optimization system, which utilizes heavy-duty springs to both securely couple the tube to the base, and to keep the telescope in constant balance to avoid drifting during observations. Even with large 2" eyepieces and accessories installed, the XT8 Dobsonian telescope optical tube will remain balanced throughout your viewing sessions.
The SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian features a 2" Crayford-style focuser that accepts both 1.25" and 2" accessories. Focus adjustments are smooth, accurate, and virtually free of backlash and flexure, even with heavier 2" accessories installed.
An included Orion EZ Finder II reflex sight allows you to easily and accurately aim the 8" Classic Dobsonian. Also included are a quick collimation cap for easy mirror alignment, dust caps for the reflector telescope tube and focuser, and a special edition of Starry Night astronomy software and a SkyTheater DVD - a $69.90 value!
The Orion XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope can conveniently be separated into two pieces for easy transport and storage. By unhooking the two CorrecTension springs from the Dobsonian base you can detach the 46.5" long optical tube. The XT8 reflector optical tube weighs 20.3 lbs., while the 19" diameter Dobsonian base tips the scales at 20.7 lbs. With an assembled weight of 41 lbs., the XT8 Classic Dobsonian can be easily moved to and from your favorite observing site, whether it’s just a few steps out the back door, or many miles down the road.
- Optical design - Reflector
- Optical diameter - 203mm
- Focal length - 1200mm
- Focal ratio - f/5.9
- Optics type - Parabolic
- Glass material - Soda-lime plate
- Eyepieces Sirius Plossl - 25.0mm (1.25")
- Magnification with included eyepieces - 48x
- Resolving power - 0.57arc*sec
- Lowest useful magnification - 29x
- Highest useful magnification - 300x
- Highest theoretical magnification - 406x
- Limiting stellar magnitude - 14.2
- Optical quality - Diffraction limited
- Finder scope - EZ Finder II
- Focuser - 2" Crayford
- Secondary mirror obstruction - 47mm
- Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter - 23%
- Secondary mirror obstruction by area - 5%
- Mirror coatings/over-coatings - Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
- Mount type - Dobsonian
- Astro-imaging capability - Lunar & planetary
- Computerized compatibility - Not compatible
- Bearing material - Teflon and UHMW bearings
- Tube material - Steel
- Tripod material - Wood
- Length of optical tube - 46.5 in.
- Weight, optical tube - 20.3 lbs.
- Weight, mount/tripod - 20.7 lbs.
- Weight, fully assembled - 41.0 lbs.
- Other features - CorrecTension system, 2" Focuser, 1.25" eyepiece adapter
- Warranty One year
Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Reflector Optical Tube Assembly
25mm Orion Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece (1.25")
EZ Finder II reflex sight
Collimation cap
Dust cap
2" Crayford-style focuser
2"-to-1.25" telescope eyepiece adapter
Spring coils
Pull loops
Nylon spacers
1/4" washers
Phillips-head screws
Screws with round knob attached
Left panel
Right panel
Front brace
Top base plate
Ground base plate
Base assembly screws
Hex key
Plastic feet
Feet attachment wood screws
Self-adhesive rubber bumper
Large hex-head bolt
3/8" washers
3/8" lock nut
Nylon spacer
T-nut
Handle
Socket-head cap screws
5/16" washers
5/16" nuts
Hex key
Starry Night special edition software
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Features
- Pro features with a large aperture Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope at a very affordable price!
- 8" diameter reflector optics lets you view the Moon and planets in close up detail, and has enough light grasp to pull in pleasing views of faint nebulas, galaxies and star clusters
- The ultra-stable Dobsonian base keeps the reflector optical tube perfectly balanced for point-and-view ease of use
- Includes a 2" Crayford focuser that accepts 1.25" and 2" telescope eyepieces, a 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece, an EZ Finder II reflex sight, collimation cap, Starry Night software, and more!
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