Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope
Item #08945
4.8 / 5.0
Free Standard Shipping
$649.99
One of our most popular telescopes, the XT8 combines prodigious light grasp, easy navigation, and solid stability for an epic stargazing experience. It's an incredible value that includes Orion's MoonMap, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter.
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This item is on backorder and expected by 05/25/2024.
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  • More Info
    • Simple hands-on, point-and-view navigation without complicating counterweights, gears, clutches, polar alignment, or the need to balance the tube. Easy and fun!
    • Large 8"-diameter parabolic mirror excels for deep-sky viewing of nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters, and serves up jaw-dropping views of the planets and Moon
    • Features a precision 2" Crayford focuser with 1.25" adapter, allowing use of 1.25" eyepieces or optional 2" eyepieces
    • Stable Dobsonian base provides vibration-free images even when viewing at a high powers, and features smooth motions to make manual tracking of celestial objects a breeze
    • Great value-added accessories are included: Orion's MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter for taking pictures through the telescope's eyepiece

    The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope will open up the night sky for you and your entire family to discover. With excellent light grasp, point-and-view ease of use, and an array of super helpful included accessories, the SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is truly one of the best telescope values on the market today.

    The XT8's big 8" (205mm) parabolic primary mirror collects 78% more light than a 6" mirror, so you get a significant increase in ability to discern 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 1219mm focal length (f/5.9) XT8 mirror delivers clear and crisp views at moderate to high magnifications on clear nights with good seeing conditions. 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 wonderful detail.

    The SkyQuest XT8 telescope features a 2" Crayford focuser equipped with a removable 2"-to-1.25" step-down adapter. So the focuser can accommodate use of 1.25" eyepieces such as the 25mm Plossl that comes with the telescope, and optional 2" oculars, which often allow for a wider apparent field of view than corresponding 1.25" eyepieces. The 25mm Plossl eyepiece provides 49x magnifying power. Of course, eyepieces of other focal lengths can be purchased to provide higher or lower magnifications.

    Classic Dobsonian Comparison Chart

    The XT8's 45"-long enameled steel optical tube glides with silky smoothness on the sturdy Dobsonian base. You just grasp the front of the tube and point it toward your target using simple up-down and left-right motions. The "red dot" (LED) finder scope makes it easy to find your target object and center it in the telescope's eyepiece. There are no complicating counterweights, gears, clutches, or polar alignment to fuss with.

    To set up the SkyQuest XT8 Classic telescope, you just lift the optical tube and set it in the base's cradle (one-time base assembly required), then connect the CorrecTension springs. Done. To transport the telescope, just unhook the springs from the base, lift the tube off, and carry the base and tube separately. The base even has a convenient carry handle.

    The SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope comes with three additional accessories to enhance your viewing experience: Orion's MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter for taking pictures through the telescope's eyepiece.

    Use the Orion MoonMap 260 to identify lunar features

    With locations and names of over 260 features on the Moon such as craters, mountains, valleys, "seas" and more, the MoonMap 260 is a great tool for beginning astronomers. This detailed map will even show you where various spacecraft have landed on the Moon's surface!

    Deep Map

    The Orion DeepMap 600 will guide you to fascinating celestial gems

    Full-color star map of the night sky with clearly indicated positions of 600 of the finest celestial objects to view. It folds up just like a road map for easy storage and transport. Back side lists essential data for all 600 objects, including a brief visual description of each. An ideal reference for beginners and advanced observers alike! Printed on dew-proof plastic.

    Cell Phone Adapter

    Take smartphone pictures of the view through your telescope with this Smartphone Telescope adapter.

    Adjustable smartphone holder clamps onto the telescope's eyepiece, allowing you to take shake-free, well-focused, high-power photos of celestial objects. Sure beats trying to steadily hand-hold your phone over the eyepiece — frustrating! You'll get lots of "keepers" with this smartphone photo adapter.

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

    Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).

    Warranty

    Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-447-1001.

    Warning

    Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

    Product Support

    Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more

  • Specs
    • Best for viewing:
      Brighter deep sky
    • Best for imaging:
      Lunar & planetary
    • User level:
      Beginner
    • Optical design:
      Reflector
    • Front-end outside tube diameter:
      10.15 in.
    • Optical diameter:
      205mm
    • Focal length:
      1219mm
    • Focal ratio:
      f/5.9
    • Optics type:
      Parabolic
    • Glass material:
      Soda-lime plate
    • Eyepieces:
      Plossl 25.0mm (1.25")
    • Magnification with included eyepieces:
      49x
    • Resolving power:
      0.56arc*sec
    • Lowest useful magnification:
      29x
    • Highest useful magnification:
      300x
    • Highest theoretical magnification:
      300x
    • Limiting stellar magnitude:
      14.0
    • Optical quality:
      Diffraction limited
    • Finder scope:
      Reflex sight
    • Focuser:
      2" Crayford
    • Secondary mirror obstruction:
      46mm
    • Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter:
      22%
    • Secondary mirror obstruction by area:
      5%
    • Mirror coatings/over-coatings:
      Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
    • Mount type:
      Dobsonian
    • Astro-imaging capability:
      Simple moon shots
    • Computerized compatibility:
      Not compatible
    • Bearing material:
      PTFE and UHMW bearings
    • Tube material:
      Steel
    • Tripod material:
      Wood
    • Length of optical tube:
      45.5 in.
    • Weight, optical tube:
      19.6 lbs.
    • Weight, mount/tripod:
      18.7 lbs.
    • Weight, fully assembled:
      39.1 lbs.
    • Focuser height at zenith:
      45 in.
    • Additional included accessories:
      Orion MoonMap 260, Orion DeepMap 600 folding star chart, Smartphone photo adapter
    • Other features:
      CorrecTension tube balance system, Carry handle on base, Center mark on primary mirror for collimation
    • Warranty:
      One year
  • In The Box

    Optical tube
    25mm Plossl eyepiece, 1.25"
    Base boards and assembly hardware
    Base carry handle
    Reflex sight
    Dust cover
    Wrenches (x3)
    Allen keys (x2)
    Smartphone photo adapter
    MoonMap 260
    DeepMap 600

  • Important Shipping Information

    Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

    A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

    Standard Delivery: $0.00
    Standard Delivery to Canada: $40.00
    3 Day Delivery: $194.00
    2 Day Delivery: $194.00
    Next Day Delivery: $240.00

    SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

    This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states and US territories/protectorates address. Delivery is not available to APO/DPO/FPO addresses . Delivery is available to Canada.

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