• High-performance reflector designed for the advanced astronomer
• Ideal for deep-sky or high-power planetary study
• Includes astronomy software and TrueTrack electronic drive

If you want a telescope that will not only show the dust lanes in the Andromeda Galaxy or the gaseous tendrils of the Orion Nebula, but also brings out eye-popping detail of the Moon and planets, then the SkyView Pro 8 EQ is for you! It's got a full 8" (203mm) parabolic primary mirror, which gathers 73% more light than a 6". The 1000mm/f/5 focal length gives you the appropriate image scale to resolve the finest details of the Moon and planets.

The tube features a 2" aluminum rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1.25" insert, which affords a limitless choice of optional eyepieces (we include two 1.25-inch Sirius Plossl eyepieces--25mm and 10mm). The secondary mirror in securely mounted in a sturdy 4-vane holder. A 6x30 finder scope helps you locate faint deep-sky objects.

The SkyView Pro equatorial mount combines stability and precision control. It is nicely portable, and the optics cool down in no time so you can carry the scope outdoors for a quick look around practically on a whim. The mount has a one-year warranty. As an added bonus, we include the TrueTrack DC drive for hands-free, regulated electronic tracking and photographic guiding (requires 4 "D" batteries, not included).

This comprehensive package also comes with Orion's Starry Night™ Special Edition astronomy software, which you can use to explore the solar system with interactive SkyGuide tours, access 1 million stars and celestial objects, view and print detailed maps of your local sky and receive automatic updates of satellite, comet and asteroid orbital data. Requires PC running Windows XP or Macintosh running OS 10.3 or higher.

Additional specs: Includes collimation cap; weight, assembled 62 pounds.