Advantages of RC Telescopes compared to MAC and SCT
Aperture 10" / 254mm.......Focal Length 2000mm
f/8 is faster than a 10" SC or Mak
illuminated field is much bigger
you can attach 2" eyepieces and full size SLR/DSLR cameras without vignetting
two hyperboloidical mirrors with 96% reflectivity lead to a bright image
faster cool-down time and no dew problems because of open tube design without front correcting plate
enough back focus for all kinds of accessories like correctors and reducers
3" MONORAIL Focuser with better stability
Less dew problems against Schmidt Cassegrain or similar
fixed mirrors and 2" Crayford focuser with 1:10 dual speed transmission - no problems with mirror shift
A rotatable, machined dual-speed (10:1) Crayford focuser equipped with a sturdy linear-bearing provides precise focus adjustment without slippage or flexure with heavy astrophotography accessories attached
Features one dovetail finder scope bases and includes one 2" and two 1" focus extension rings so you can adjust focus position for various imaging cameras and accessories Computer optimized internal baffle system
8" RC f/8 Astrograph is designed for full illumination of the "35mm format" (24 x 36mm).
10" f/8 RC astrograph telescope is perfect for astrophotography but also visual observing. The telescope is fitted with a stable 3" M-LRN focuser.The GSO 8" RC astrograph (a telescope designed specifically for photographing comparatively wide areas of the sky) makes the coma-free imaging of true Ritchey-Chrétien imaging optics available to the DSLR and CCD astrophotographer at a price less than that of most CCD cameras. It is not designed for digiscoping through an eyepiece. Featuring premium low thermal expansion quartz mirrors rather than ordinary optical glass, this very economical 8” R-C makes you wonder just what those outrageously expensive R-Cs have that makes them cost so much.
Designed for exceptional imaging, the 8 inch RC provides the wide coma-free photographic field that DSLR and CCD astrophotographers crave, but can’t get from conventional reflectors and Schmidt-Cassegrains. Likewise, as a pure two-mirror system, the 8 RC is totally free from the spurious color that affects the imaging of all but the most costly apochromatic refractors, and it does it with an 8” aperture that dwarfs the light gathering of most apo refractors.
If serious astrophotography is your goal, but the price of most true Ritchey-Chrétien optics has been keeping you from the optical design most modern professional observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope use for their imaging, your wait is over. The 8 inch RC astrograph can bring the world of professional DSLR/CCD deep space imaging to your backyard observatory at a remarkably affordable price.
Optical design
True Ritchey-Chrétien Cassegrain-type two-mirror optics, with hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors.
Optical specifications
8” aperture, 1625mm focal length, f/8 focal ratio.
Hyperboloid primary mirror
Made of low thermal expansion quartz, rather than the ordinary optical glass used by competitors. Ground and polished under precision computer control to diffraction-limited or better surface accuracy. Unlike catadioptric designs (SCTs, Maksutovs, etc.) that move the primary mirror fore and aft in the optical tube to focus (which can lead to image shift as the mirror position changes) the 8RC primary mirror is fixed to eliminate both a catadioptric’s image shift and the primary mirror collimation requirements of a Newtonian reflector.
Hyperboloid secondary mirror
Made of low thermal expansion quartz, rather than ordinary optical glass. Ground and polished under precision computer control to diffraction-limited or better surface accuracy. Mounted in a four-vane spider and fully collimatable using simple standard Cassegrain reflector collimating techniques. Unlike complicated R-C designs that use motors to move the secondary mirror fore and aft to focus, the 8RC secondary mirror is fixed and focusing is done externally.
96% reflectivity enhanced aluminum coated optics
Both primary and secondary mirrors are coated with 96% reflectivity enhanced aluminum, overcoated with a layer of quartz for long life.
Steel optical tube
While not quite as resistant to temperature-related focus changes as its more expensive carbon fiber brother, the 9” o.d. x 18” long steel tube of the AT8RCS will require few, if any, focus adjustments during most imaging sessions.
Multiple internal light baffles
Computer optimized primary and secondary baffling. Ten contrast-enhancing glare-stop baffles in the optical tube; multiple glare-stop microbaffles in the secondary mirror light shield; and five baffles in the primary mirror baffle tube provide truly dark sky backgrounds during imaging.
10" F/8 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope OTA (Optical Tube Assembly)
TELESCOPE SPECIFICATION Country of Manufacturing TAIWAN Best for viewing Planet and Faint Deep sky Best for Imaging Deep sky Astro-imaging capibility Lunar, planetary and long exposure RC 10 10" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope Optical Design Ritchey- Chretien with a hyperbolic primary- and secondary mirror. Diameter Primary Mirror 254 mm Primary Mirror 96% reflectivity dielectrically coated/minimum 1/12th wave. low thermal expansion quartz primary and secondary mirrors Focal Length 2000 mm Focal Ratio f/8 Optical type Hyperbolic Accepts Eyepiece Barrel Ø 50.8mm (2") to 31.7mm(1.25") Resolving power 0.46 arc sec. Limiting Stellar magnitude 14.7 Optical quality Diffraction limited Focuser 3" Dual speed M-LRN Monorail focuser with Micro transmission.The dual speed 1:10 micro focusing knob is particularly important for astro imaging. No image shift and up to 5kgs load capacity! The focuser accepts 2" and 1.25" accessories. Standard Eyepiece(s) Not included View Finder Scope Not included Star Diagonal Not included Computer-optimized baffle system The inside of the tube is lined with computer-optimized baffles for optimum suppression of stray light. Tube materila Steel Lengt of optical tube 28.4" diameter of tube 294 mm Weight, optical tube 35.3 lbs. (16 kg) Other features Three built-in cooling fans, with battery holder,
1.25" compression ring adapter, 1" & 2" Extension tube
Losmandy-style dovetail mounting bar on underside, Custom Losmandy-style guidescope mounting bar, One dovetail finderscope bases