Product Description
This 6" Celestron NexStar 6 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain is a great alternative to costly competitive 5" and 6" Maksutovs. It has 44% more light gathering and 20% higher resolution than a more expensive 5" Mak (as well as a wider field and brighter images with any given eyepiece). And it's priced less than competitive 6" Maks that don't have the clear optical advantage of Celestron's state-of-the-art XLT multicoatings. Across the full photo/visual spectrum from 400nm to 750nm, independent laboratory tests show the new Starbright XLT coatings are 16% brighter than even Celestron's legendary original Starbright multicoatings - long the industry standard.
The Celestron NexStar 6 SE comes with a red dot finder, tripod, 25mm Plössl eyepiece, flashlight battery-operated dual-axis motor drives, and a go-to computerized hand control that will find over 45,000 stars and deep space objects for you automatically.
New SkyAlign technology makes it easy to line up this Celestron telescope on the sky so it can find celestial objects for you. You don't have to level the scope or point it north, or know which stars are which. Simply point the scope at any three bright stars, or at two bright stars and a planet or the Moon (you don't even have to know which stars and planet you're looking at). The telescope will then know how the sky is laid out that night and will be ready to find and track over 45,000 objects for you at your command.
The Celestron NexStar 6 SE has all the features and optical performance you need to keep you happily observing for years to come - and a classic color scheme that will draw admiring glances wherever you take your scope. It may well be all the telescope you'll ever need!
This Telescope's Optical System . . .
Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube: 6" aperture (1500mm focal length f/10) aluminum tube, 16" long, weighing 10 lbs. One-knob quick-release attachment to fork arm for fast assembly in the field. Guaranteed diffraction-limited optical performance. Celestron orange finish.
Starbright XLT fully-multicoated: This state-of-the-art coatings package includes high reflectivity multilayer aluminum mirrors enhanced with titanium dioxide for high reflectivity, plus a unique combination of magnesium fluoride and hafnium dioxide antireflection coatings on both sides of the Schmidt corrector lens. Starbright XLT multicoatings give you higher light transmission for brighter deep space images and shorter exposure times during photography. They also visibly increase the contrast on subtle lunar, planetary, and nebula details when compared with a scope with standard coatings or multicoatings.
A review of the 6" Celestron XLT optics in Sky & Telescope said of the XLT multicoating, "its effectiveness is readily apparent under certain lighting angles where the corrector virtually disappears, leaving the secondary seemingly suspended in midair." Of the optical quality, the review said "excellent optics . . . Saturn and its system of faint moons proved to be a good test of the C6's light grasp, resolution, and image contrast. With an 8mm eyepiece, the planet's crisp globe revealed delicate cloud banding rendered in faithful color, while the Cassini Division in the rings was obvious for its entire visible extent. Despite the moonlight and heavy local light pollution, 10th-magnitude Tethys, just 7 arcseconds from Saturn's northern limb, was easily seen with direct vision. Intra- and extra-focal image of stars revealed the C6 to smooth and very well corrected optics. For more information on the XLT multicoatings, click on the "6" Starbright XLT multicoatings" icon in the support tab above.
Red dot finder: Star Pointer non-magnifying variable brightness red dot-type. The Star Pointer is the quickest and easiest way to point your telescope exactly to the desired object in the sky. It's like having a laser pointer that appears to shine directly onto the night sky. No need to worry about the inverted images that you see through traditional finders. Just align the red dot seen through the Star Pointer with the desired star in the sky. It's that easy.
Focuser: Pre-loaded ball-bearings support the focuser mechanism, rather than the bushings used on some competitive scopes. This minimizes image shift during focusing so no external rear cell electric focuser is needed.
Visual back: Removable 1.25" visual back holds visual and photographic accessories such as a star diagonal, tele-extender, off-axis guider, etc.
Star diagonal: 1.25" multicoated prism type.
Eyepiece: 1.25" 25mm Plössl (60x). The eyepiece field of view is 0.83° across, well over 50% wider than the diameter of the full Moon.
This Telescope's Mount . . .
Fork mount/drive system: The heavy-duty single fork arm is made of die-cast aluminum, so it is rigid and damps vibrations quickly. The optical tube is offset slightly so that its center of mass is over the axis of rotation of the mount, keeping the optical tube properly balanced in all planes. Built-in friction clutches in altitude and azimuth keep the optical tube fixed in place when eyepieces or accessory loads are changed. No mechanical locking levers or knobs are required.
The 11 lb. mount includes slewing/tracking motors in both altitude and azimuth. There are nine user-selectable slewing/centering/guiding speeds - 6°/second; 3°/second; 1.5°/second; and 128, 64, 16, 8, 2, and 1x sidereal. There are also three selectable drive rates - sidereal, solar, and lunar. The drives normally operate in the altazimuth mode (right/left up/down) to locate and track objects for visual use and casual solar system photography. A compartment in the drive base accepts eight user-supplied AA batteries for powering the scope in the field. The Celestron Power Tank Lithium (#PTL12V) is a highly recommended optional 7 amp-hour capacity multi-purpose rechargeable 12V DC battery that can provide several nights worth of observing from a single charge. To conserve battery life, an optional 2.5 Amp AC adapter (#2338N) is available to operate the scope from household current during backyard use.
Computer control: The supplied NexStar computer hand control has a 45,000+ object database of stars and objects that it can locate and track for you. The database includes the complete RNGC, Messier, Caldwell, IC, and Abell catalogs; selected SAO stars (including the best variable stars and multiple star systems); the planets; the Moon; and more. You can also store and edit the right ascension and declination coordinates of 400 objects of your own choosing, such as favorite deep space objects or the comet and asteroid coordinates published monthly in Astronomy and Sky & Telescope magazines.
You have several ways to have the NexStar computer find celestial objects for you. The most popular and easiest to use is Celestron's exclusive SkyAlign no-guesswork technology. After turning on the scope, simply enter the date and time and your location, then point the scope at any three bright stars, or at two bright stars and a planet or the Moon (you don't even have to know which stars and planet you're looking at, and you don't have to know and locate specific stars as you do with other alignment programs). The NexStar computer will use the stars you've pointed at to model the sky overhead. Once it knows what the sky looks like, it's ready to find and track over 45,000 objects for you at your command.
The computer hand control includes a built-in RS-232 communication port allowing you to use a CCD autoguider for deep space photography. It also lets you use popular astronomy software to control the NexStar from a lap top or personal computer for remote control point-and-click slewing. The hand control software can now be flash-upgraded from the Celestron website. You can always have the most up-to-date control program, database, and software features simply by downloading the new programs as they are posted.
The scope can be operated with its ergonomically designed hand control conveniently docked in its fork arm storage compartment. You can also remove the control and its coiled connecting cord from the fork arm for hand-held use. There's no need to worry about wrapping the cord around the mount as you walk around the scope to observe different parts of the sky. The hand control plugs into the fork arm rather than the base, so it always moves with the scope.
All of the database and scope operation information is displayed on a double line, 16-character, liquid crystal display on the hand control. There are 19 fiber optic backlit LED buttons to make it easy for you to control the computer without affecting your dark-adapted vision. If you are new to astronomy, you may wish to start by using the computer's built-in Sky Tour feature. This program commands the NexStar 6 SE to find the most interesting objects in the sky and automatically slews to them one at a time for you to observe at your leisure.
No matter what level of experience you start from, however, the NexStar 6 SE will unfold all the wonders of the Universe for you, your family, and your friends. For much more information on the NexStar computer and the unique SkyAlign software, click on the "NexStar computer with SkyAlign" icon in the support tab above.
Adjustable height altazimuth tripod: The tripod has 2" diameter steel legs, with a center leg brace for added rigidity, and damps vibrations quickly. The center leg brace is drilled to form a convenient accessory tray that holds 1.25" and 2" eyepieces to keep them up out of the dew-soaked grass. A locating pin on the top of the tripod automatically centers the scope on the 9 lb. tripod for easy assembly in the dark.
Two-year warranty: All Celestron go-to telescopes have a two-year warranty, double that of competitive go-to scopes.
Tech Details
| Aperture | 6" |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 1500mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/10 |
| Heaviest Single Component | 21 lbs. |
| Highest Useful Magnification | 300x |
| Motorized Controls | Computerized GoTo |
| Weight | 30 lbs. |
| Optical Coatings | StarBright XLT |
| Resolution | 0.76 arc seconds |
| Supplied Eyepiece | 25mm 1.25" |
| Telescope Type | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| View Finder | StarPointer |
| Visual Limiting Magnitude | 13.4 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Reviews
Down sides. As many have noted, the Nexstar mount EATS through the AA batteries, and you may have to replace them after 2 or 3 sessions. I have addressed this issue by using an external 17 AH Li ion battery that hangs from the spreader bar, and this is a great solution. The only other criticism I have is that the mount has a bit more backlash than I would like, and there is a noticeable delay in motors engaging on both axes. This can be greatly reduced by using the appropriate backlash settings programmable in the hand controller, but it is still there, albeit not to an overly annoying level.
Overall, a great scope set-up at an attractive price point. (Posted on 10/26/2019)
Overall, this is an amazing package and a tremendous value for the price. You get a lot for your money, outstanding Celestron quality and guaranteed years of performance and observing enjoyment. (Posted on 8/26/2019)
I purchased a few 3rd party plossl eyepieces and I'm satisfied with the views of the planets and deep sky objects. I can't imagine how it'll improve with more expensive nitrogen-purged eyepieces.
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A few things to be aware of is that the 6SE only utilizes 1.25" diagonals & eyepieces. 2" accessories are not compatible.
For astrophotography, the limiting factor may be the alt-az mount unless one adds an equatorial wedge (or completely upgrade to a CGEM) to counteract field rotation.
I live in a 2nd floor walkup apartment and the entire package is about the limit of what I would take out and walk 1.5 blocks to a nearby park.
For the money, the Nexstar 6SE is a good investment in a light polluted city. (Posted on 7/24/2019)
Be aware that the view is pretty zoomed in compared to a small refractor. I would suggest this for planets and smaller sized DSOs. If you are wanting to see larger nebulae or other faint objects, you might like the views in a 80mm or 102mm refractor instead. Or you can get a focal reducer for this one and it opens up the view some. I've added a mid-sized spotting scope to a used SE6 mount and couldn't be happier.
Also, this could be a very smart choice if you have a good OTA on hand. The shoe will fit any vixen style dovetail. As long as your OTA isn't huge, this makes a smart way to add goto functionality to your OTA. This style Nexstar unit is pretty capable and sturdy for middle-weight scopes. The gearing and motors are very stable. The OTA hits a right balance between optical quality and price. (Posted on 1/3/2019)
Image correction is not perfect to the edge (even with the 0.63 reducer, which is a highly recommended accessory) but more than acceptable and rewarding for starting out. The compact size and low weight have also meant I've been able to take my setup with me on two international trips to darker sites.
The AltAz mount makes things much easier for first timers and the GoTo works extremely well - a quick two-star alignment plus sync to a star near your desired target, and you're off!
I would recommend running from the AC power adapter whenever possible, rather than batteries (especially rechargeable batteries, which have a slightly lower output voltage). For portable power, one of the Power Tank accessories would be a better option.
Another highly recommended accessory would be a dew shield - even if your climate is unlikely to cause dew formation, the dew shield will help keep the corrector clean (e.g. from pollutants settling out of the air). If you do live (or plan to visit) a dew-forming climate, the AstroZap Flexi-Heat dew shield is an excellent two-in-one option to consider. (Posted on 10/17/2018)
A few accessories will improve your viewing experience with this telescope. A dew shield will help prevent condensation on the front corrector plate. A 12vdc power supply is almost mandatory to drive the mount electronics and motors. A 0.63 focal reducer will increase field of view to over 1.5 degrees. And an adjustable viewing chair will allow a comfortable position so you can see more and save your back and neck. (Posted on 10/13/2018)
What I like: tripod and mount are lightweight but very sturdy and stable. This makes it easy to pick the scope up and carry it 100 yards or so from the house to a large field. Optics give sharp, bright images. There's no visible coma or other distortion. Go-to functions pretty well most of the time, making the scope great for public star parties.
What I don't like: The red-dot finder is not well placed. I eventually replaced it with a right-angle 9x50, and then added a Telrad. The bubble level really ought to be permanently mounted so it doesn't get lost (lost it last month).
Summary: a good all-around scope; easy to set up and very portable; lots of advice on Cloudy Nights; good value. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
You'll want to put the AA batteries in the computer to help keep time, etc. but you'll also want to invest in an external battery pack. Using the goto features, this scope will chew through your AA batteries in an hour or two.
Alignment is as easy as the instructions say it is. The goto functions let you spend less time looking FOR objects and more time looking AT objects, which is nice. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
Supplied Accessories
- Starbright XLT multicoated 6" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optics
- Quick-release tube attachment
- Single fork arm design
- Classic orange and black color scheme
- Multicoated 1.25" 25mm E-Lux Plössl Eyepiece (60x)
- Star Pointer red dot non-magnifying finder
- 1.25" star diagonal
- 1.25" visual back
- Dual axis DC drive (powered by 8 user-supplied AA Batteries)
- Heavy duty base with rubber feet for tabletop operation
- NexStar SkyAlign go-to computer hand control with 45,000+ star and object database
- Adjustable height tripod with combined accessory tray/spreader bar
- NexRemote and TheSky Level 1 software on CD-ROM
- Dust covers.
Celestron - Nexstar 6SE and 8SE manual 
NexStar 6SE Computerized Telescope Tour 
NexStar computer with SkyAlign 
6" Starbright XLT multicoatings 
