GSO RC Ritchey-Chretien 12" Carbon Fiber Truss Astrograph Telescope

The GSO RC Ritchey-Chretien 12" Carbon Fiber Truss Astrograph Telescope is meticulously designed for small observatories and astrophotography enthusiasts. With its robust carbon fiber construction and advanced Ritchey-Chretien optical system, this telescope delivers outstanding performance for capturing the cosmos.

Product Overview

This GSO RC Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) is crafted specifically for astrophotography, employing a Ritchey-Chretien optical system. Renowned for its superior design, this system utilizes dual hyperbolic mirrors to correct common optical issues such as coma and astigmatism, ensuring images are free from chromatic aberration without the need for additional correctors or lenses.

The RC system, originally developed by astronomers George Ritchey and Henri Chrétien, is a major advancement in telescope optics. Its mirror-based design completely eliminates chromatic aberration, offering a clear advantage over traditional catadioptric systems.

Key Features

• Optimal Balance: Combines aperture, quality, weight, and price. The hyperbolic mirrors provide exceptional resolution without chromatic aberration or coma, all while being lightweight and cost-effective.
• Rapid Cooling: The open tube design allows for quicker cooling, approximately twice as fast as closed tube systems like Maksutovs and SCTs.
• Dew Resistance: The design minimizes the risk of dew condensation on the optics, unlike other systems where dew is more common.
• Quartz Master Mirror: Delivers remarkable accuracy with 1/12 λ, dielectric coatings for 99% light reflection, and low temperature expansion for stable performance.

Technical Specifications

• Optical System: Ritchey-Chretien
• Mirror Diameter: 304 mm
• Focal Length: 2432 mm
• Aperture Ratio: f/8
• Resolution: 0.38 arcseconds
• Tube Weight: 24 kg
• Outer Tube Diameter (Front): 48.5 cm
• Mounting Compatibility: 2 Losmandy rails
• Focuser: 3" M-LRN Monorail with microfocusing, 5 kg lifting capacity

Included Equipment

• 2x Standard Losmandy Dovetail with Clamp
• Crayford 3"/2"/1.25" Modular Eyepiece Holder with 10:1 Microfocus Ratio, 5 cm Extension, and Graduated Markings
• Front and Rear Tube Caps
• Focuser Extensions (2 x 2.5 cm Optical Length, 1 x 5 cm Optical Length, Passage 77.5 mm)
• Finder Scope Adapter: Compatible with SkyWatcher/Vixen Standard

Explore the universe with clarity and precision with the GSO RC Ritchey-Chretien 12" Carbon Fiber Truss Astrograph Telescope, a perfect choice for dedicated astronomers and photographers alike.