Orion Limited Edition Red SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian

Limited edition ruby red classic Dobsonian telescope with 8" aperture for an inexpensive price!

This SkyQuest XT8 bundle comes with a 35 mm 2" DeepView eyepice and 1.25" 2x Shorty Barlow Lens.

An optical diameter of 8" enables highly detailed views of the Moon and planets with enough light gathering ability to also observe faint nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.

For the purpose of fostering a lifetime of astronomical curiosity for the novice backyard astronomer, the SkyQuest XT8 is the ideal instrument.

Additional accessories included with this package are a smooth 2" Crayford focuser that accepts both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces, a 25 mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece, EX Finder II reflex sight, collimation cap, Starry Night software, and more!

Explore the night sky using this special edition SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian from Orion! This 8" Classic Dobsonian reflector, an Orion best-seller, not only has an appealing ruby-red exterior, it's also equipped with two amazing accessories that will improve each viewing experience. First, an Orion 35 mm 2" DeepView eyepiece enables wide 56º views with 34x magnificaiton power when used with the XT8 by letting users benefit from this telescope's smooth 2" Crayford focuser. Second, Orion's popular 2x Shorty Barlow lens is included to provide any 1.25" eyepiece with double the magnification power. On its own, the included 25 mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece offers medium power 48x magnification. With the Shorty 2x Barlow however, this eyepiece offers high 96x magnification observations!

The core of this Orion Limited Edition SkyQuest Dobsonian is its cast-aluminum mounted 8" (203 mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror. Compared to a 6" mirror, this 8" mirror accumulates 78% more light for a substantial increase in the capacity to detect dust lanes in nebulae, resolve cores of conspicuous globular star clusters, and bring out some of the more delicate features of faint galaxies. This XT8 mirror has a focal length measuring 1200 mm (f/5.9) to enable the procurement of sharp, high resolution views on clear nights with favorable conditions at medium to high magnification. Enhanced coatings provide the XT8 Classic Dobsonian mirror with 94% reflectivity, allowing as much light as possible to pass through to the eyepiece for even better views.

The XT8 Classic Dobsonian base provides a simple and stable low-profile alt-azimuth platform for its 8" aperture reflector optical tube. The tube attaches securely to the base by virtue of Orion's CorrecTension Friction Optimization system. This system utilizes heavy-duty springs to both firmly couple the tube to the base while keeping the telescope in constant balance to avoid drifting during observations. Even with large 2" eyepieces and accessories installed, the XT8 Classic optical tube will remain balanced for the duration of your viewing sessions.

Another component of the Limited Edition SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian is its 2" Crayford focuser that's compatible with 1.25" as well as 2" accessories. Smooth and accurate, focus adjustments are essentially backlash and flexure free, even with the installation of heavier 2" accessories.

An included Orion EZ Finder II reflex sight allows you to easily and accurately aim this 8" Classic Dob. Also included are a quick collimation cap for easy mirror alignment, dust caps for the reflector optical tube and focuser, and a digital download insert for free Starry Night SE astronomy software.

For convenient transport and storage, the Orion Limited Edition SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is easily separated into two individual pieces. Simply unhook the two CorrecTension springs from the base to detach the 46.5" long optical tube. Both the XT8 optical tube and 19" diameter Dobsonian base weigh just over 20 lbs. Weighing 41 lbs. fully assembled, the XT8 Classic Dobsonian can be transported to and from your favorite observing site without difficulty, no matter how remote the location.

A great telescope with the optical strength to please serious beginners and veteran skygazers alike, the Orion Limited Edition SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian reflector will provide years of astronomical adventure for you and your whole family.