This value-packed bundle includes our best-selling Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian reflector telescope and the versatile and informative Beginner Barlow Kit. The XT8 Classic Dobsonian will amaze you with gorgeous cosmic vistas and its simple, point-and-view operation. The included Orion Shorty 2x Barlow Lens doubles the magnification of any 1.25" telescope eyepiece, and the Orion Beginning Stargazer's Toolkit is packed with great reference materials and tools so you can easily get the most out of your telescope.
The Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope combines powerful optics with the ultimate in mechanical simplicity and stability. It features a precision 8" (203mm) diameter parabolic primary mirror, center-marked at the factory for precise collimation and mounted in a cast-aluminum support cell that provides maximum ventilation. The mirror pulls in 73% more light than a 6" mirror, enough to tease out dust lane details in cloudy nebulas, resolve the cores of prominent globular star clusters, and reveal subtle structure in elusive distant galaxies.
You're in total control as you point the XT8 Dobsonian reflector telescope effortlessly to your target object anywhere in the sky. The 46" long enameled steel optical tube glides on its sturdy Dobsonian base. A gentle push or pull on the telescope optical tube puts you right in the observing pocket.
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 focuser with a removable 1.25" adapter so it can accept both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces and accessories. The Crayford mechanism ensures all focus adjustments are smooth, accurate, and virtually free of backlash and flexure, even with heavier 2" accessories installed, so you can achieve precise focus easily.
The included 1.25" Orion 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece provides a 48-power view when used with the SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope. Offering a wide 52° apparent field of view, the 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece yields extremely sharp images of impressively high contrast. With the 25mm Plossl in the included Shorty 2x Barlow of the Beginner Barlow Kit, its magnification is boosted to 96-power!
Following a simple alignment procedure, you can use the EZ Finder II sight to accurately aim the SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope at objects in the sky like the Moon and bright planets. Once aligned with the telescope, just turn on the EZ Finder II and peer through the sight's small circular viewing window so you see the red dot, and move the telescope until the red dot is on the object you want to see. Look in the telescope eyepiece, and the object will be there!
Explore starry skies anytime - even when it's cloudy! The SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope includes a FREE Special Edition of Starry Night astronomy software. With realistic sky simulations and a many useful features including telescope control, the user-friendly Starry Night Special Edition software will help you plan your observations and understand what you see. Requires PC running Windows 7, 8 or 10. Requires Macintosh running OS X 10.4 or higher.
Use the Shorty 2x Barlow lens to double the magnification of the included 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece and enjoy a 96-power view, or use it to double the power of other 1.25" eyepieces. Use the included MoonMap 260 to properly identify lunar features seen through the telescope. Read the Discover the Stars guidebook to learn helpful hints about stargazing. Use the Star Target Planisphere to see what constellations and objects will be visible on any day of the year. The RedBeam Mini flashlight makes it easy to refer to charts and books while observing, and it helps you see small parts and knobs without disrupting dark-adapted vision.
For the intrepid beginner to the veteran skygazer, the SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope lives up to its billing by Astronomy magazine as a "work of art."
Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).
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 800-676-1343.
Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.
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Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Reflector Aperture Optical Tube Assembly
25mm 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
Orion 1.25" Shorty 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Star Target Planisphere
Discover The Stars book
Orion MoonMap 260
Orion RedBeam Mini LED keychain flashlight
Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock item 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: $10.00
3 Day Delivery: $194.00
2 Day Delivery: $194.00
Next Day Delivery: $240.00