C8 - Schmidt Cassegrain - 203mm / 2032mm with CGEM German equatorial GoTo mount
(CGEM 800 - 11097)


Celestron's CGEM-800 features our high-end 8" Schmidt Cassegrian OTA with XLT coatings mounted on our brand new CGEM mount.

The CGEM mount has a fresh, attractive, bold appearance and is capable of carrying Celestron's higher-end SCT optical tubes (up to 11") securely and vibration free which is ideal for both imaging and visual observing.

Ergonomic Design - CGEM was designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy polar alignment adjustment. The internal RA and DEC motor wiring provides a clean look and an easy and trouble free set up.

Innovation - The CGEM series has a new innovative Polar alignment procedure called All-Star (patent pending). All-Star allows users to choose any bright star, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Another great feature of the CGEM, sure to please astroimagers, is the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) which will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings.

Performance - For objects near the Meridian (imaginary line passing from North to South), the CGEM will track well past the Meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky. The CGEM mount has a robust database with over 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects.

Celestron's CGEM mount is the perfect fit between the Advanced Series and CGE Series.� Offering the portability of the Advanced Series and the precision of the CGE.

Ready for FastStar - The C8 is ready for FastStar. With the HyperStar Kit you can convert the C8 into a fast F/2 CCD Schmidt Camera.

CGEM - 800 - General Features
•8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
•CGEM Computerized Equatorial Mount
•Schmidt-Cassegrain mechanism that moves the primary mirror to adjust focus is supported by two pre-loaded ball bearings, minimizing the "mirror flop" typical of bushing focus mechanisms
•Celestron's premium StarBright XLT coatings
•6x30 finderscope to help accurately find objects
•Ultra Sturdy 2" steel tripod with Accessory Tray
•Star diagonal provides more comfortable viewing position when observing objects that are high in the sky
CGEM - 800 - Computerized Mount Features
•40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
•Proven NexStar computer control technology
•New "All-star" Polar alignment uses any bright star for a quick and accurate Polar alignment
•Software Features include: Mount Calibration, Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five Alignment Procedures, and user-defined slew limits
•Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
•Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
•Permanent programmable periodic error correction (PEC) - corrects for periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives
•Steel worm gear and 90mm pitch diameter brass worm wheel
•Drive Motors - Low Cog DC Servo motor with integrated optical encoders offer smooth, quiet operation and long life. The motor armatures are skewed to minimize cogging which is required for low speed tracking.
•Internal Cable wiring for trouble-free setup and transportation
•Designated six-pin RJ-12 modular jack, ST-4 compatible guide port
•Autoguide port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic plate for long exposure astrophotography
•Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
•RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
•Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer
•Precision machined 40mm diameter steel Polar shafts supported by multiple tapered roller bearings and ball bearings.
•GPS Compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory
•Secure power plug ensures that the Mount's power source is not accidentally disconnected

Technical specification

Optical Design : 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain
Aperture : 203.2 mm (8 in)
Focal Length : 2032 mm (80 in)
Focal Ratio : 10
Finderscope : 6x30
Mount : Computerized Equatorial
Optical Tube : Aluminum
Optical Coatings : Starbright XLT Coating
Eyepiece 1 : 25 mm (0.98 in)
Magnification 1 : 81 x
Star Diagonal : 1.25"
Tripod : Adjustable, Stainless Steel
CD ROM : NexRemote control software with RS232 cable
Power Supply : Car battery adapter
Highest Useful Magnification : 480 x
Lowest Useful Magnification : 29 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude : 14
Eyepiece 1
Light Gathering Power : 843 x
Secondary Mirror Obstruction : 2.7 in (68.58 mm)
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Area : 11.4 %
Secondary Mirror Obstruction by Diameter : 33.8 %
Resolution (Rayleigh) : 0.69 arcsec
Resolution (Dawes) : 0.57 arcsec
Gear : Steel worm gear and 90mm pitch diameter brass worm wheel
Motor Drive : Low cog DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes
Computer Hand Control : Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display
19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons
Slew Speeds : Nine
slew speeds: 5 °/sec, 2 °/sec, 1 °/sec, 64x, 16x, 8x, 4x, 1x, .5x
Tracking Rates : Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Tracking Modes : EQ North and EQ South
Alignment Procedures : 2-Star Align, Quick Align, 1-Star Align, Last Alignment, Solar System Align
Software Precision : 24bit, 0.08 calculation
Database : 40,000+ objects, 100 user defined programmable objects. Enhanced information on over 200 objects
Power Requirements : 12 VDC 1.5 Amp
GPS : Optional CN16
Accessory Counterweights : 1 x 17 lb
Optical Tube Length : 17 in (431.8 mm)
Telescope Weight : 88 lb (39.92 kg)