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Glad to see someone else getting the bug. You might want to look at this site. https://www.nexstarsite.com/ I have an 8SE, and the book helped me immensely. Clear Skies!

I can't speak to a GEM for the C8, but I also have the 8SE. While it not the steadiest, I haven't had a problem with it for visual. I have am starting to use a piggyback mount for my DSLR. This article might be useful. https://www.sdfalchetti.com/blog-1/2021/1/16/astrophotography-with-the-nexstar-8se Clear skies!

The only issues I've had using the mains adapter is if I don't seat the plug well, or it isn't stable when I plug it into the extension cord I'm in the U.S, so my mains power is 110-120 volt.

In my case, it's the people in UK that can gloat. I only had about 4 clear nights in January, which is unusual for us. I was only able to get out once and had to stop after about 90 minutes because of dew and frost. I have a dew shield. but no heaters yet. At least one of the nights I didn't go out was because we had a week of -28F. And I'm a temperature wimp! Clear Skies!

There is this thread in the lounge Clear Skies!

I don't knowvif it will help with camera choice much, but this article goes through using the 8SE pretty well. https://www.sdfalchetti.com/blog-1/2021/1/16/astrophotography-with-the-nexstar-8se I keep reading comments that you can't do decent astrophotography with an alt az mount, or specifically with an SE. But it seems there are a lot of people successfully using them. Especially if it's what you already have, you can work with it. If for personal reasons you want to upgrade later, that's great. Clear Skies.

Take a look at this article. A lot of good information specifically for the 8SE. with both a dslr and astro camera. https://www.sdfalchetti.com/blog-1/2021/1/16/astrophotography-with-the-nexstar-8se Clear skies!

Yeah. And from what I've read, the original purpose was for personal assessments. The Bortle number was based on visual observation, so varies with each individual, depending on their visual ability/ condition. As such it is really a very subjective measurement. It can also vary from hour to hour or even minute to minute with atmospheric conditions. I think people try to use it for more than it is because most of us have trouble justifying the cost of an SQM and this provides the next best "measurement". I think the table I posted is a good step towards actually quantifying the Bortle numbers. Clear Skies!

Sounds like you're doing great! One other resource you might look at if you haven't already is the "Cloudy Nights" forum page. This thread specifically is about observing from Bortle 8-9. Long thread started by a beginner without much experience, and a lot of helpful comments. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/881347-if-you-live-in-bortle-7-or-8-or-9-what-did-you-see-last-night-in-your-scope/ Clear skies!

I have the 8SE but am lucky enough to live in fairly dark skies, Bortle 4. I would highly recommend you get a copy of "Turn Left At Orion". It will be very helpful in locating targets. A lot of people also recommend "The Urban Astronomers Guide" by Rod Mollise, part of the Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series. Last but not least is https://www.nexstarsite.com/NUG2.htm. It helped me a lot, and gives much more complete information than the owners manual. Clear Skies!

Look at some of the ideas from this post

Look up roll away or roll off observatories here or on https://www.cloudynights.com/ A simple Google search will aldo yield many images and videos of these, as well as the roll off roof style. Clear skies!

You might also look up "Backyard EOS". They have a free trial version.

For anyone....anti satellite defense!

You might be able to use a system like Pier-tech does for their observatories. http://piertechinc.com/roll-off-roof-observatories/ They essentially use industrial sized slides like oversized drawer slides. I have seen a couple on "Cloudy Nights" that used this method. Pier Tech had a smaller discontinued model that look almost like what you're doing and the slides don't show when it's closed. Clear skies!

Sorry I'm so late to add to this discussion. Here is the SQM to Bortle conversion the Starry Sky Survey includes in the kit for people to report data with. https://montanalearning.org/starry-sky-survey/

I apologize in advance if this is something you've already done. It might be helpful for you to pick up something like "The Backyard Astronomers Guide" https://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Astronomers-Guide-Terence-Dickinson/dp/0228103274/ref=asc_df_0228103274/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509199198673&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14323910420714989210&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021369&hvtargid=pla-1212477164638&psc=1&mcid=91c76ac3872a3a90828ff83ac3e6e911&gclid=CjwKCAiApaarBhB7EiwAYiMwqqVir_SszgyeuVhIJ14Ib5TqRgqL9n2vUz1-vsjTVadgKDtnreX0kRoCWPAQAvD_BwE There are many other boks that are also good at explaining answers to the questions you have. Another thing that would help is if you can find an astronomy club near enough to you that you can visit or join. Most members are more than happy to help out. You will probably also get to see and even try different eyepieces. Some actually have loaners for people to try. Clear Skies!

I have a Nexstar 8SE, and have observed several Messier objects in the last few months. I live in a borderline Bortle 3-4 area. In the winter, transparency isn't real great even with clear skies. We live in a valley and wood heat is a primary heat source for a significant number of homes in the area. This means there is often a barely visible layer of smoke. I can't speak to how much your light pollution affects you, but a bright moon definitely will limit the faint objects visible. Of the nebula you mention, the only one I haven't observed is the Crab Nebula. The others show up fine when there isn't too much moon. Something bright like M13 might show up, but not any of those you mentioned. I have the stock Celestron 25mm eyepiece and the Celestron eyepiece kit which included a 32mm plossel. It seems the only negative effect of the longer focal length is not being able to fit some of the larger targets into a single FOV. Clear skies!

https://sarahmaths.com/ has very good videos on her YouTube channel. She had one showing DSO photography from start to finish with a DSLR on teacking mount, all the way through processing with Siril. She does a great job of giving clear explanations.

Get a copy of "Turn Left At Orion". It includes small scope views, and good descriptions of how to star hop to the target. The sketches are very good for showing what you might actually expect to see in your eyepiece. https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=57615409113&hvadid=664624581727&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9021369&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13975443447671385585&hvtargid=kwd-300014588122&hydadcr=29916_14754438&keywords=turn+left+at+orion&qid=1700515594&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 It's available through lots of other vendors also. It was a game changer for me. Clear skies!

Look up https://sarahmaths.com/ She has videos on her you tube channel that sound like exactly what you might be after. She explains basic and more advanced equipment in different videos, and shows the process all the way through to the finished image. Very clear explanations. Clear Skies!

I second this. I'm primarily visual, but wanted to use my DSLR just so I can share some with family and friends. I have a C8SE and bought a piggyback mount. Her videos are great.

I actually called Celestron and asked them. They said this one was plenty for my mount. I suspect the 5amp comes into play when you add dew heaters and other accessories (Skyfi, Starsense, etc). Give them a call and double check. You might also look at this thread I'm guessing you're also on Cloudy Nights. They might have more info over there Good luck and clear skies!

https://www.adorama.com/cnacn.html This is what I have for my Nexstar 8SE.

@Coolhand1988, for me, the 48" depth is necessary for my location. You may not need to go that deep where you are. I see a lot of posts on here from people in the UK that aren't anywhere near that deep. Check with your local building code people, they can give you a recommendation for footing depth. Take care, Clear Skies!