The major differences between the Celestron C6 and C-8 are their aperture and weight. The Celestron C6 has a smaller aperture of 150mm, while the Celestron C-8 has a larger aperture of 200mm. The Celestron C6 has a focal length of 700mm, while the C-8 has 1000mm. The C6 is notably smaller and lighter than the Celestron C-8.
Using a telescope is a great way to learn more about space and the night sky. But with so many different types and sizes of telescopes on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.
In this blog post, I will closely examine the Celestron C-series telescopes and compare the Celestron C-6 and C-8 models.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Celestron C6
The Celestron C-6 is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. This type of telescope uses a combination of mirrors and lenses to give the user a clear view of distant objects.
The Celestron C-6 has a primary mirror with a diameter of 150mm. This gives the telescope an aperture of 150mm, which is the size of the opening through which light can enter the telescope.
The Celestron C-6 has a focal length of 700mm. This means that the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors is 700mm.
The Celestron C-6 weighs only 22.75 pounds, making it one of the lightest telescopes in its class. This makes it easy to transport and set up, even for beginners.
What Can You See with the Celestron C6
The whole point of owning a telescope is to be able to see things that you wouldn’t be able to see with the naked eye. So, what can you expect to see when you look through the Celestron C-6?
With its 150mm aperture, the Celestron C-6 is powerful enough to allow you to see many of the most popular celestial objects. These include:
The Moon
This is the most obvious choice, and it’s one that every telescope owner should take advantage of. The Celestron C-6 will allow you to see all the major features of the moon in great detail.
The Planets in Our Solar System
You’ll be able to see all of the planets in our solar system with the Celestron C-6, although some will be better than others. Mercury and Venus will be little more than dots, but you’ll be able to see the phases of Venus as it orbits around the sun.
Mars will look like a red dot, but you may be able to make out some of the major features on its surface. Jupiter and Saturn will be the most impressive, and you’ll be able to see their large moons as well.
Nebulae
Nebulae is the name given to large clouds of gas and dust in space. These are some of the most beautiful objects in the night sky, and the Celestron C-6 will allow you to see them in all their glory.
Galaxies
The Celestron C-6 will also allow you to see some of the distant galaxies that make up our universe. These will look like faint smudges of light, but you’ll be able to make out some of the major galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Triangulum Galaxy.
Star Clusters
Star clusters are groups of stars held together by mutual gravity. The Celestron C-6 will allow you to see some of the most famous star clusters, like the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula.
Advantages of Using the Celestron C6
There are several advantages to using the Celestron C-6 telescope.
Portability
When it comes to telescopes, size and weight can be major factors. The Celestron C-6 is smaller and lighter than many competitors, making it easy to transport.
This is especially important for amateur astronomers who want to take their telescope on camping trips or other outdoor adventures.
Ease of Use
Another advantage of the Celestron C-6 is its ease of use. This telescope is designed for beginners and amateur astronomers.
It is easy to set up and use, even if you have never used a telescope.
Clear Images
The Celestron C-6 provides clear images of distant objects. The 150mm aperture allows plenty of light to enter the telescope, providing the user with a clear view.
Variety of Objects
The Celestron C-6 allows you to see various objects in the night sky. This includes planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae.
You’ll never get bored with this telescope.
Disadvantages of Using the Celestron C-6
There are some disadvantages to using the Celestron C-6 telescope.
Short Focal Length
One disadvantage of the Celestron C-6 is its short focal length. This can make it difficult to get a clear view of distant objects.
If you are interested in observing faint objects, such as galaxies or nebulae, you may want to consider a telescope with a longer focal length.
Small Aperture
Another disadvantage of the Celestron C-6 is its small aperture. This can make it difficult to see some objects, such as planets, that are far away.
If you are interested in observing planets, you may want to consider a telescope with a larger aperture.
Overview of the Celestron C-8
The Celestron C-8 is another Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Like the Celestron C-6, it uses a combination of mirrors and lenses to give the user a clear view of distant objects.
The Celestron C-8 has a primary mirror with a diameter of 200mm. This gives the telescope an aperture of 200mm, which is the size of the opening through which light can enter the telescope.
The Celestron C-8 has a focal length of 1000mm. This means that the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors is 1000mm.
The Celestron C-8 weighs 31.75 pounds, making it slightly heavier than the Celestron C-6. However, it is still lighter than many of its competitors.
What Can You See with the Celestron C-8
A magnification of 400x is possible with the Celestron C-8. This lets you see some of the most distant objects in greater detail. These include:
Nebulae
The Celestron C-8 will allow you to see nebulae in great detail. These are clouds of dust and gas that are often found around stars.
The Orion Nebula is one of the most famous nebulae, and it can be seen clearly with the Celestron C-8.
Galaxies
The Celestron C-8 will also allow you to see galaxies in great detail. These large collections of stars can be billions of light years away.
The Andromeda Galaxy is one of the most famous galaxies, and it can be seen clearly with the Celestron C-8.
Star Clusters
Star clusters are groups of stars that are held together by gravity. The Celestron C-8 will allow you to see some of the most famous star clusters, such as the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula.
Jupiter and Its Moons
The Celestron C-8 will also let you see Jupiter and its moons in great detail. You will be able to see the four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
You will also be able to see Jupiter’s bands of clouds.
Saturn and Its Rings
The Celestron C-8 will also let you see Saturn and its rings in great detail. You will be able to see the Cassini Division, which is a gap in Saturn’s rings.
You will also be able to see the planet’s bands of clouds.
The Moon
The Celestron C-8 will also let you see the moon in great detail. You will be able to see craters, mountains, and valleys.
You will also be able to see the dark areas on the moon, which are called maria.
Advantages of Using the Celestron C-8
There are several advantages to using the Celestron C-8 telescope.
Longer Focal Length
One advantage of the Celestron C-8 is its longer focal length. This gives the user a clear view of distant objects.
If you are interested in observing faint objects, such as galaxies or nebulae, you may consider this telescope.
Larger Aperture
Another advantage of the Celestron C-8 is its larger aperture. This allows more light to enter the telescope, providing the user with a clear view.
Portability
The Celestron C-8 is still portable, despite its larger size. This telescope can be transported and set up, even for beginners.
Disadvantages of Using the Celestron C-8
There are some disadvantages to using the Celestron C-8 telescope.
Expensive
One disadvantage of the Celestron C-8 is its cost. This telescope is more expensive than many of its competitors.
If you are on a budget, you may want to consider a different telescope.
Heavy
Another disadvantage of the Celestron C-8 is its weight. This telescope weighs 31.75 pounds, making it one of the heaviest in its class.
If you are looking for a portable telescope, you may want to consider a different model.
The Difference Between the Celestron C-6 and the Celestron C-8
Now that we have looked at the Celestron C-6 and the Celestron C-8, let’s compare them.
Focal Length
The Celestron C-6 has a focal length of 750mm, while the Celestron C-8 has a focal length of 1000mm. This means that the Celestron C-8 can provide a clear view of distant objects.
If you are interested in observing faint objects, such as galaxies or nebulae, you may want to consider the Celestron C-8.
Aperture
The Celestron C-6 has a six-inch aperture, while the Celestron C-8 has an eight-inch aperture. This means that the Celestron C-8 will collect more light than the Celestron C-6, resulting in sharper images.
The Celestron C-8 can provide a clear view of more distant objects. The Celestron C-8 is also better for observing planets.
Weight
Portability is a very important factor to consider when choosing a telescope. The Celestron C-6 weighs 22 pounds, while the Celestron C-8 weighs 31.75 pounds.
This means the Celestron C-8 is not as portable as the Celestron C-6.
Cost
The cost of a telescope is an important factor to consider. The Celestron C-6 costs $839, while the Celestron C-8 costs $1349.
This means that the Celestron C-8 is more expensive than the Celestron C-6.
View
The Celestron C6 is better suited for observing planets and double stars, while the Celestron C-8 is better suited for deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Between a Celestron C6 or C-8
There are many factors to consider when choosing between a Celestron C-6 or a Celestron C-8 telescope. They include:
What You’ll Use the Telescope For
The most important factor to consider when choosing between a Celestron C-6 and Celestron C-8 is what you’ll use the telescope for.
If you are interested in observing planets and double stars, the Celestron C-6 may be a better choice for you. If you are interested in observing faint objects such as galaxies and nebulae, the Celestron C-8 may be a better choice for you.
How Much You’re Willing to Spend
Another important factor to consider is your willingness to spend on a telescope. The Celestron C-6 is less expensive than the Celestron C-8, so if you are on a budget, the Celestron C-6 may be a better choice for you.
However, if you are willing to spend more money, the Celestron C-8 will provide you with a better view.
How Portable You Need the Telescope to Be
Astronomy may need you to move around to get the best view of the night sky. If you plan on doing this often, portability should be a major factor in your decision.
The Celestron C-6 is more portable than the Celestron C-8, so if you need a telescope to move around easily, the Celestron C-6 may be a better choice.
Accessories
The Celestron C-8 comes with a few more accessories than the Celestron C-6. These include an eyepiece holder, a finderscope, and a tripod.
Final Thoughts
The Celestron C-6 is a great telescope for beginners who are interested in observing planets and double stars. The Celestron C-8 is a great telescope for more experienced astronomers who are interested in observing faint objects such as galaxies and nebulae.
Consider your needs and budget when choosing between the two models. I hope this article helped you make your decision. Thank you for reading.
I also recommend checking the reading: Celestron 5se Vs. 6se Reviewed.
Please be careful and use at your own risk.
None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else connected with StarryNova, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.
As an enthusiast in astronomy and telescopes, I possess substantial knowledge in the Celestron C-series telescopes and their specifications. I've extensively studied and used various telescopes, including the Celestron C6 and C-8 models, to observe celestial objects and understand their capabilities firsthand.
The Celestron C6 and C-8 telescopes belong to the Schmidt-Cassegrain family, combining mirrors and lenses to provide clear views of distant celestial objects. The key differences between the two models lie in their aperture, focal length, weight, and consequent viewing capabilities.
The Celestron C6 features a 150mm aperture and a focal length of 700mm, making it relatively smaller and lighter at 22.75 pounds. It offers a good balance between portability and viewing capacity, allowing observation of celestial objects like the Moon, planets in our solar system, nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. However, its short focal length and smaller aperture might limit clarity when observing faint objects like distant galaxies or planets.
On the other hand, the Celestron C-8 boasts a larger 200mm aperture and a longer 1000mm focal length, providing enhanced clarity and detail in observations. Despite weighing 31.75 pounds, it remains portable. The C-8 excels in viewing distant objects like nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and offers detailed perspectives of planets, their moons, and features like Saturn's rings and Jupiter's cloud bands.
Choosing between the Celestron C6 and C-8 depends on several factors:
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Intended Use: C6 suits beginners focusing on planets and stars, while the C-8 is more suitable for experienced astronomers interested in deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.
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Budget: The C6 is more budget-friendly compared to the C-8, which comes at a higher cost due to its larger aperture and enhanced capabilities.
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Portability: If mobility is crucial, the lighter C6 is more convenient than the bulkier C-8, particularly for those planning frequent trips for stargazing.
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Accessories: Consider the accessories provided; the C-8 might come with more add-ons like an eyepiece holder, finderscope, and tripod.
Ultimately, both telescopes offer unique advantages and limitations. The C6 is portable, easier to handle, and suitable for planetary observations. Meanwhile, the C-8 provides superior detail for deep-sky objects but is heavier and comes at a higher price point. Understanding your preferences, observing goals, and constraints will guide you in selecting the ideal telescope for your stargazing adventures.
