NexStar Evolution 8 HD with StarSense
An impressive set up for observing and imaging, this Schmidt-Cassegrain will satisfy your astronomical needs
Celestron telescopes continue to evolve and improve, and they have done an amazing job of merging their highly-regarded Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with a computerised, single-fork mount for an easier and more enjoyable experience. Granted, it has quite a hefty price tag, however, it has everything an intermediate astronomer needs to navigate the celestial landscape and gaze upon some tantalising views, whilst also providing a very good platform for serious astrophotography.
Included in the package is a robust, stainless steel tripod, which supports the set up with ease. The single-fork arm mount is the pride of the package, as it can mechanically navigate the night sky with the touch of a button via two perpendicular movements (alt-azimuth mount) and powered by its long-lasting, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. In our opinion, the internal battery is an underappreciated aspect - it saves having to spend extra on a battery pack and an international AC adapter is also provided, so you can recharge it ready for your observing sessions.
Also built into the mount is its own Wi-Fi network that allows the user to connect, and control, the telescope via the Celestron SkyPortal app (available on both iPhone and Android). By making use of the most modern technologies available, navigating from planet to star to nebula can be done at your fingertips.
The icing on the cake is the 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, with improved EdgeHD optics for crisper, clearer sight of targets you wise to observe. There are also several important extras included in this package, most notably the latest StarSense technology, which features an attachable camera and hand control intended to deliver a painless AutoAlign process. There is also a StarPointer Pro finderscope, which employs a red dot technology with a surrounding ring that aids with pinpointing your desired object in
the field of view with minimum fuss. The NexStar Evolution also comes with a 1.25-inch star diagonal and two 1.25-inch 12.5mm and 40mm Plössl eyepieces, allowing magnifications of 51x and 163x respectively.
Before we headed out for a night of observing, the first thing we noted was the telescope's weight, which totals 18.5 kilograms (40.6 pounds). The set up will be tricky to transport for many, so it is important to take that into account before planning any stargazing trips beyond your very own backyard.
Upon arrival at our designated site for the night, the assembly of the telescope proved to be fairly straightforward - something that's welcomed by every astronomer. In less than 30 minutes, the telescope was up, running and ready for alignment. We decided to utilise the StarSense AutoAlign camera, as it was a clear night at our location in a dark-sky reserve. This was a new experience to us, but it was straightforward and didn’t take longer than your average alignment. Be warned though, the technology will only work at its best under reasonably clear skies free of light pollution and with an array of stars at your disposal. Anything less and a message will pop up on the hand control that says ‘Too Few Stars’.
Once we were set up and aligned, we couldn't wait to test the NextStar Evolution's mettle. Our smartphone connected to the telescope with ease, and, with the interactive interface also doubling as a planetarium app, choosing our targets was easier than ever. The first object on the observation checklist was the biggest, brightest and most obvious object visible to the naked eye - the Moon.
“It has the capability of giving you a complete tour of the night sky”
Our lunar companion was a waxing gibbous at the time, with 85.9 per cent luminosity, and with the 40mm eyepiece attached, the Moon was delightful to look at. It was a crisp, bright and visually stimulating sight that fit perfectly within the field of view. Switching to the 12.5mm Plössl allowed us to take a closer look at the rugged lunar terrain. From the dark patches of the lunar mares, to the distinguishable craters of Tycho and Copernicus and the lunar terminator, the optics presented a crisp view with high clarity and resolution.
Moving away from the Moon, we explored some deep-sky treasures. Heading over to our winter favourite, Orion (the Hunter), we took the time to gaze upon stellar opposites, Rigel and Betelgeuse. The redness of the latter was easily recognisable, and the optical system seemed to have no major issues with chromatic or spherical aberration. Slewing to the opposite corner of Orion, we picked out the bluish-white hue of Rigel. Again, there was no interference or issues with the resolution of this brilliant, 0.12-magnitude supergiant.
Continuing our tour of the constellation, we tested the optical system on the more-diffuse Orion Nebula, also dubbed M42, which required reverting back to the 40mm eyepiece. Even with the star forming region's large size, the Plössl could accommodate the majority of the nebula. The central concentration of light was a magnificent sight and, when combined with the surrounding dust trails stopping the visible light in its path to Earth, there was an appreciated disparity.
As this mount is motorised, and is capable of tracking a celestial object as it moves across the sky, it's a must-try for some serious astrophotography. It is specified that the telescope can accommodate most cameras, especially larger format CCD and DSLR cameras. However, if you want to improve on this hobby, you should purchase the ‘Wedge’ for the NexStar Evolution, which enables long-exposure photography at a cost of £350.00 (approximately $463).
Overall, we're extremely impressed: this scope is easy to set up and, by taking advantage of all the latest technology and mechanical prowess, is capable of providing a complete night-sky tour. While it's an expensive piece of equipment, it's a sturdy, reliable and rechargeable instrument that comes with a 24-month warranty that's well worth the price!