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!
- Material: Plastic + metal nut
- Specially designed for iPhone 4
- Allows your iPhone 4 use a standard tripod with it
- Also can be used as a stand holder
- Provides best view angle for watching movie, playing game,
etc. - A great accessory for your iPhone 4
1.25" stainless steel tripod that fits all SmartStar Cube and Cube Pro series mounts. Allows mount to be positioned in either altazimuth (AA) or equatorial(EQ) positions.
A proper Go2Nova hand controller is needed to function the mount in both AA and EQ.
A very well made and easy to use smart telescope, ideal for someone like me who is new to astro-photography. I found it very easy to connect with my smart phone and was able to take my first solar photo within a few minutes. I am still waiting for some clear skies before trying out the stargazing mode.