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Well, an 8SE is a nice scope for just about all object types.
For eyepieces, here are some recommendations:
(all 1.25"):
32mm Plossl (widest possible field in the C8, bright exit pupil, relatively low power, if you use it later with a focal reducer, the field opens up a lot more)
20mm widefield of some sort (good medium power, nice wide enjoyable FOV, excellent exit pupil for visual acuity, good contrast on DSOs)
13 to 14mm widefield of some sort (good high power for planets, small DSOs, double stars and general high power viewing, but a low enough power to avoid bad seeing problems)
A good 2X barlow lens. Adds the equivalent of a 10mm (using the 20mm) and a 6.5-7mm (using the higher power eyepiece). This would yield ultra-high power for superb seeing and planets and Moon and double stars.
Now a couple pointers about observing to make it better:
1) put the scope out at sunset, pointed horizontal, to cool down. When you start observing 90 minutes later when it gets dark, the scope's optics will be cooled down and you will start out with better image quality. If you sit out with it as it gets dark, you will be dark adapted when it gets dark. otherwise, don't try to view anything faint for at least 45 minutes after you go out to view so you start out fully dark adapted.
2) Maximize your telescope's view of every object by trying to view only along or near the S-N meridian where every object is its highest above the horizon.
3) try to never view any object below 30 degrees off the horizon because the air is too thick down there. At 30 degrees, the atmosphere is twice as thick as at the zenith, and at the horizon it's 10 times as thick.
4) try to not view objects needing high resolution (like planets) directly above a roof. Roofs give off heat and the heat causes atmospheric shimmering in the air above them.
5) Spend a lot of time observing. Learning to see is like learning to play the piano. it takes time and a lot of practice. Objects that seem faint at first will seem bright when you go back to view them in a couple of years.
6) Learn all the constellations: get a good planisphere and learn each one that you can see. Once you know them, you will never be lost and the stars will all be familiar when you look up.
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