Celestron N 200/1000 Advanced VX 8″ GoTo Telescope

The Celestron N 200/1000 Advanced VX 8″ GoTo Telescope combines a bright 200 mm Newton optic with the proven Advanced VX mount. The result is a set that will immediately put you on solid ground as an ambitious beginner and will last you for years as an advanced observer or beginning astrophotographer.

With 200 mm opening you capture well more light than with 150 mm classes, making fainter details visible: spiral arms in bright galaxies, structures in emission and reflection nebulae and much finer grain in globular clusters. The parabolic main mirror and the slender spider provide high-contrast, sharply defined constellations. For planets, that means clear cloud bands on Jupiter, the Cassini separation in Saturn's rings and lots of detail on the Moon.

The f/5 focal ratio makes the tube fast: pleasantly short exposure times in photography and wide fields of view for visual use. The 2″ focuser gives you flexibility in eyepiece choice (2″ for widefield, 1.25″ for higher magnifications). With the 9×50 viewfinder center your objects quickly, even if they have already disappeared from view with the naked eye.

The Advanced VX mount is built for mobile precision. With a load capacity of up to approximately 13.5 kg, PEC correction and All-Star Polar Alignment smoothly lay a stable foundation for long sessions. The NexStar+ hand-held controller (±40,000 objects) and the ability to use far beyond the meridian by following through, make your nights more practical: fewer turns, more data. The steel legs (51 mm) keep the whole thing rigid and low-vibration.

Application

If you are looking for an all-rounder that performs strongly visually while offering a reliable entry into deep-sky photography, then you are in the right place with this combination. Visually, under reasonable skies you can see, among other things, the cloud bands of Jupiter with shadow transitions at lunar transits, the Cassini separation and subtle color tones at Saturn, crater chains and ridges on the Moon, compact planetary nebulae with shape and core, and bright galaxies (Andromeda, M81/M82) with recognizable shape. In astrophotography - if properly polarized and with guiding for longer subs - you can start with classic Messier objects and bright nebulae. Realistically: at f/5, a coma corrector recommended for tight stars to corners, and good balance/nutrition determines how smoothly long sessions go.

Specifications

Optics

• Type: Reflector (Newton)
• Opening: 200 mm
• Focal length: 1000 mm
• Aperture ratio: f/5
• Theoretical resolution: 0.58″
• Boundary magnitude: 13.3
• Max. useful magnification: 400×
• Tube length: 914 mm | Tube diameter: 235 mm
• Tube weight: 6.35 kg | Material: Aluminum | Construction: Full tube
• Main mirror: Parabolic, protective coating (quartz/aluminum)
• Front mirror: Ø 56 mm (obstruction ~28%)
• Focuser: 2″ rack-and-pinion with 1.25″ adapter

Mount

• Type: Equatorial (Advanced VX)
• Carrying capacity: approx. 14 kg
• Motors: Servo, GoTo with NexStar+ (± 40,000 objects).
• Encoder: Yes | PEC correction: Yes
• Tracking: sidereal, sun, moon
• Alignment: 1-/2-Star, Quick Align, Last Align, Solar System Align, All-Star Polar Alignment
• Meridian tracking: Yes (far beyond meridian)
• Power supply: 12 V, approx. 3,500 mA (cigarette plug)
• Mounting saddle: Vixen & Celestron CGE
• Counterweight bar: Ø 19 mm
• Controls/software: NexStar+, Celestron PWI compatible, WLAN optional

Tripod

• Material: Steel
• Height range: 112-163 cm
• Weight: 8.2 kg
• Leg diameter: 51 mm
• Accessory tray: yes

Included

• Eyepiece: 20 mm (1.25″)
• Viewfinder: 9×50 optical
• Counterweights: 2 × 5 kg
• Dovetail: Vixen-style
• Tube rings: Yes
• Adapter: 2″ → 1.25″
• Power connection: 12 V cigarette plug
• Total weight of set: approximately 33 kg

Eligibility

• Moon & planets: yes
• Nebulae & galaxies: yes
• Astrophotography: yes
• Nature observation: no (upright only with additional prism; not intended as a spotting scope)
• Recommended user: ambitious beginner, advanced
• Sun: only with suitable, safe sunscreen