Telescopes & Astronomy Gifts

• An indispensable reference guide for observing the "Red Planet"
• Identifies Martian features using classical albedo and modern nomenclature
• Lists all opposition and conjunction events from 2014 to 2020
• Recommends best filters for visual observation and astrophotography of Mars
• Plastic-laminated for durability, the Mars Map measures 25.25" x 11" when fully unfolded, and folds up to 8.5" x 11" for easy portability

• Explore the Universe and control your NexStar Evolution telescope with the free Celestron SkyPortal app for iOS and Android!
• Compact, portable 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility
• Computerized GoTo mount with high-performance worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash
• Rechargeable lithium-iron battery with enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing
• Improved industrial design with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device

NOTE: 

The recommended solar filters for this scope for solar observing are;

the Orion 185 mm (7.17") Glass Solar Filter (Product No. 125081) or

the Meade Glass White Light Solar Filter 172 - 180 mm (Product No. 125918).

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 8 is a WiFi-enabled 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that lets you explore the night sky using your smartphone or tablet with the free SkyPortal app. Featuring a built-in rechargeable lithium-iron battery for up to 10 hours of observing, precision brass worm gear tracking, and StarBright XLT coatings, it delivers stunning views and astroimaging capability in a portable, user-friendly package.

• Explore the Universe and control your NexStar Evolution telescope with the free Celestron SkyPortal app for iOS and Android!
• Compact, portable 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube with StarBright XLT optical coatings and Fastar compatibility
• Computerized GoTo mount with high-performance brass worm gears and motors for improved tracking accuracy, along with reduced gear backlash
• Rechargeable lithium-iron battery with enough power for 10 hours of continuous observing
• Improved industrial design with manual clutches and integrated carry handles, plus the added convenience of two accessory trays and a USB charge port for your smart device

• 5-inch aperture provides excellent light-gathering ability at an affordable price. You’ll get impressive views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, while retaining a compact form factor.
• Fully automated GoTo mount with database of 40,000+ celestial objects automatically locates and tracks objects for you.
• SkyAlign technology gets your telescope aligned and ready to observe in minutes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, you can easily align your telescope on any three bright objects.
• Unique single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod all break down into separate components for easy transport and quick assembly.

NOTE:  For solar observing we recommend the Astrozap Glass Solar Filter (Product No. 124466) for use on this telescope.

• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lbs (13.6kg)
• Integer gear ratios and permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction eliminates recurring track errors from the worm gear
• New motors offer improved tracking performance & provide more power to overcome load imbalances
• Updated industrial design offers more rigidity, less flexure and improved aesthetics
• New design allows viewing or imaging across the meridian without interference from the motors housings
• Improved latitude range - can be used between 7 – 77° latitude
• Improved electronics with increased memory for future expansion
• NexStar+ hand control offers multiple language programming (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish)

• Manual German equatorial mount with setting circles - to locate and track sky objects
• Adjustable, full height steel tripod with deluxe accessory tray
• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Accessories include a 20mm and 10mm eyepiece, and a finderscope

Unleash the power of your smartphone to take you on a guided tour of the night sky—no telescope experience required.

Patent-pending StarSense sky recognition technology uses your smartphone to analyze star patterns overhead and calculate its position in real time. Check phone compatibility here.

NOTE: The Starsense telscope uses your smartphone as a navigation device only, not to take photos.

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• StarPointer for convenience
• Quick release dovetail attachment
• Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch for smooth and accurate pointing
• Rugged pre-assembled tripod with steel tube legs provides a rigid and stable platform
• All coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
• Deluxe accessory tray for convenient and accessible storage of accessories
• Download Starry Night Basic Software with a 36,000 object database, printable sky maps and enhanced images including 3D renderings of stars, exoplanets, and galaxies

The Celestron Origin Mark II is an all-in-one intelligent home observatory that automatically aligns, focuses, and captures stunning deep-sky images—delivering them straight to your phone or tablet in real time. Powered by patented RASA f/2.2 optics and built-in AI processing, it transforms any backyard into an astrophotography studio with no experience required.

• Stargazing and Astroimaging Redefined: Celestron Origin is an intelligent, all-in-one home observatory that captures stunning views of faint, deep-sky celestial objects and delivers them to your phone or tablet. The images you capture in seconds look better than what you’d see in the eyepiece of a much larger telescope under much darker skies.
• Revolutionary RASA Optical Technology: Origin’s patented 6” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) optical design places it in a class by itself. With its large aperture and fast f/2.2 focal ratio, you get unparalleled image brightness and clarity with less exposure time.
• Next-Generation 678C Camera: Sony’s latest Starvis 2 color CMOS technology—offering improved resolution, enhanced sensitivity, and a serious leap in image quality.
• Automatic, AI-powered Astrophotography:As Origin captures data, built-in AI algorithms autonomously stack and process every frame in real-time. Galaxies and nebulae instantly come to life—sharp, detailed, and in brilliant color—all with no user intervention.
• Automated Setup with StarSense: To get started, place Origin outside, turn it on, and connect to the app. Using Celestron’s patented StarSense technology, Origin scans the sky and autonomously focuses and aligns itself. You’re ready to select a target and start imaging in less than two minutes.
• Intuitive App Interface: The user-friendly Celestron Origin Powered by SkySafari™ app for iOS and Android, developed in partnership with Simulation Curriculum offers a simple yet powerful planetarium interface, making it easy to navigate the sky and control the system.
• Share the View with Everyone: Multiple users can use the Origin app to view the telescope’s live feed simultaneously. You can also cast the view to your smart TV or save and share it instantly.
• Advanced Features: As you grow in the hobby, download the raw image files you capture for more advanced manual processing. You can also experiment with filters and use Origin for night-vision or land-based observing during the day.