Capture exceptional images of night sky wonders with the GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph. This true astrograph is optimized for astrophotographic use with APS-C and 35mm CCD cameras and DSLRs. With several key advantages over Schmidt-Cassegrains and other imaging telescopes, this 8" Ritchey-Chrétien, or "RC", is a remarkable telescope that delivers amazing, flat-field images which are virtually coma-free to the edge of the fully illuminated field.
This 8" (203mm) aperture RC combines the highly regarded Ritchey-Chrétien optical design with excellent light-gathering capability, high-end features, and durable construction to provide astrophotographers with an exceptional instrument at an amazing value. Unlike conventional Newtonian reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs that are susceptible to coma away from the center of the field, the GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph optical tube utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors, made of low-expansion quartz glass, to achieve wonderfully flat-field images that are virtually devoid of coma with pinpoint star clarity. Plus, since there are no lenses in an RC telescope, captured images are delightfully free of chromatic aberrations for true-color performance.
The enameled steel GSO 8" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tube is fortified with 9 internal, computer-positioned knife-edge light baffles; and both the primary mirror tube and secondary mirror light shield are highly baffled to ensure maximum image contrast for bright images rich in detail. Unlike Schmidt-Cassegrains, the primary mirror of the 8" Ritchey-Chrétien telescope is fixed in-place to eliminate annoying "image shift" that can wreak havoc during imaging sessions. Enhanced aluminum coatings on both the primary and secondary mirrors of the 8" Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph provide 96% reflectivity with a protective quartz overcoat. Designed with collimation in mind, the secondary mirror of the 8" RC is precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation adjustments should they become necessary.
The GSO 8" RC Astrograph features a machined, dual-speed (10:1) Crayford focuser equipped with a sturdy linear-bearing mechanism for enhanced rigidity and stable support of heavy astrophotography equipment. The rock-solid focuser provides 140.7mm of backfocus travel (238.1mm from the rear cell) to easily accommodate imaging accessory trains, and an engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube enables easy focus point repeatability. One 2" and two 1" machined focus extension rings are included so you can adjust focus position for various imaging cameras and accessories. A dovetail finder scope base allows easy installation of optional Mini Guide Scopes and aiming devices (sold separately). The 8" Ritchey-Chrétien tips the scales at 18.5 lbs. and is equipped with a wide "Losmandy-style" dovetail bar along its underside for easy attachment to large equatorial mounts. A unique, narrow dovetail bar along the top of the telescope allows easy attachment of optional guide scopes and other imaging accessories.
The GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien is a good telescope for astrophotography
The GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien (RC6) is ready for astrophotography with many good features for beautiful astrophotos.
2" Dual-speed Crayford focuser with Linear Bearing mechanism for extra support of heavy astrophotography equipment
Hyperbolic mirror that produce flat, sharp images with virtually no false color or coma
Computer-optimized light baffles in main tube, primary and secondary mirror light shield, providing high contrast images
No moving mirror parts resulting in a stable image while tracking an object across the sky
Mirrors made of low thermal expansion quartz, enhanced aluminium coatings on both primay and secondary mirrors with 96% reflectivity
Actual astrophotos taken from the GSO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien (RC8)
Credit: Astrobin
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for viewing
Deep sky
Best for imaging
Deep Sky
User level
Advanced
Optical design
Ritchey-Chretien
Optical diameter
203mm
Focal length
1600mm
Focal ratio
f/8.0
Optics type
Hyperbolic
Eyepieces
None
Resolving power
0.58arc*sec
Lowest useful magnification
29x
Highest useful magnification
236x
Highest theoretical magnification
400x
Limiting stellar magnitude
14.2
Optical quality
Diffraction limited
Finder scope
None
Focuser
2" Dual-Speed Linear bearing Crayford
Secondary mirror obstruction
95mm
Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
47%
Secondary mirror obstruction by area
22%
Mirror coatings/over-coatings
Multi-coated with 99% Dielectric Coatings & Low Thermal Expansion Quartz
Mount type
OTA without mount
Tube material
Steel
Length of optical tube
22.0 in. (559mm)
Weight, optical tube
18.5 lbs. (8.4kg)
Additional included accessories
2" to 1.25" adapter, extension tube rings for achieving focus with different accessory configurations
GSO is a leader in optical telescopes and accessories and their products have been sold for years by the "Big Three" (Meade, Celestron and Orion) under their own brand names. GSO telescopes and accessories are also sold under different names world-wide; Zhumell (USA), Apertura (USA), TPO (USA), Teleskop Service (Germany), Sky Optic (France), Antares (Canada), Astronz (New Zealand), and more than a dozen more brands too many to name. GSO is known for their high consistency in quality control, low defect rate, and their Taiwanese-based manufacturing scores closer to Japan in quality than other telescope manufacturers which mostly manfacture thier scopes in Mainland China. Give these telescopes a try - you will not be disappointed!
Levenhuk Zeno Gem M1 Magnifier is a regular one-eye magnifying device. You can mount it on a table or fix it on your eye. It is the perfect tool for short-term studying of small items, surface defects, texts, illustrations or plans.
Great asset for daylight IR-imaging with a digital camera lessening seeing effects
Improved contrast when utilized for lunar and planetary imaging
Darken twilight sky background, allowing images of moon and planets to be taken at dawn or dusk
Made with high-end glass: multi-coated with ion-assisted deposition technology to ensure scratch resistance and stability on the central wavelength
Filter cell made of lightweight, strong metal. CNC machined, sand-blasted, black anodized, then laser engraved.
Super thin filter cell with clear aperture of 26mm (for 1.25" version) or 44mm (2" version)
Can also be used for nature photography in the Near-IR, revealing stunning differences in plants, sky, and clouds (requires the use of a camera that is sensitive to IR above 670nm, such as a modified DSLR or webcam)
Presented in a high-quality filter box
Quickly capture dark frames to optimize photo quality
Opaque - blocks all light from the imaging camera sensor. Help remove dark currents - essential for astrophotography
Easily eliminate camera noise and hot pixels
Dark frame acquisition helps remedy such noise and "hot pixels" by canceling out these disruptive effects during image processing
Threaded and can be directly connected to your filter wheelfor fast conversion between different filters;
Made of metal for durability. High quality packing box includes foam-lined plastic case