Telescope-Astrographs-Celestron RASA 8 – 8″ Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph OTA

Large 8” Optics
This RASA 8 features a focal length of 400 mm, making it well suited for wide shots of your favorite nebulae! Capture vast portions of the night sky, such as the busy Sagittarius constellation, the hydrogen-rich Cygnus region, the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, and plenty more. With the large 8” of aperture and wickedly fast f/2 focal ratio, copious amounts of photons are collected in a short amount of time. This feature is wonderful for completing imaging projects in a timely manner, especially for those who have limited clear sky time. In addition to this, the fast light gathering power and wide field of view is much less demanding on the telescope mount. In some cases, autoguiding may not even be required for sharp images!

Innovative Architecture
As the optics themselves perform exceptionally well, it’s necessary to have systems in place that help maximize image quality. With this in mind, Celestron has furnished the RASA optical assemblies with an internal focuser as well as a built-in fan! The Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS) houses a precision linear ball bearing for reduced image shift while focusing. In addition to this, the upgraded focus design reduces the detrimental effects of mirror flop—that is—the unwanted movement of the primary mirror during different telescope positions. To aid in ventilation and healthy airflow, the 12V DC MagLev fan helps expel hot air from inside of the tube. This ensures the image is not degraded by distortions from heat plumes by bringing the optics down to ambient temperature.

Compatible With A Wide Range of Cameras
This 8” RASA is created specifically for astrophotography and functions solely as an astrograph, meaning it cannot be used visually. While optimized for sensors with a 22 mm diagonal, the RASA 8 offers a well-corrected field of view for sensors with up to a 32 mm diagonal. This means even those with large APS-C sized sensors can benefit from this outstanding optical design. DSLRs are not compatible with the 8” RASA, and other cameras with bodies larger than 4” are not recommended due to the decrease in field illumination. Two adapters are included within this package: an M42 adapter for use with the majority of cameras with T-threads, and a C-thread camera adapter. If utilizing the M42 camera adapter, 25 mm of back spacing is required to reach proper focus. The addition of user supplied extension rings may be necessary to reach this distance. If the C-thread adapter and your camera meets the C-thread standard of 17.5mm of back focus, no additional spacers are needed to reach proper focus. If you wish to utilize your mirrorless camera with this RASA 8, check out the Sony and Canon adapters we carry here at High Point Scientific.

Upgrade Your RASA With A Host of Additions
To help you get the most out of your RASA experience, Celestron has developed numerous accessories to pair with this 8” astrograph. If you’re in need of a dew solution, the addition of the 8” Dew Ring is a great choice! By warming the front corrector plate just enough, pesky dew is eliminated. To help the nebulae within your images stand out, insert the H-alpha H-Alpha-H-Beta-OIII Narrowband Filter within your imaging train. This filter works to enhance nebulosity by darkening the sky background and improving contrast. Wanting to streamline your setup routine? The Celestron Focus Motor offers hands-free, automatic focusing. With the help of software, this electronic focuser finds the exact focal point of your optics, making it a breeze to get ready for a night of imaging.

Everything You Need Right Out of the Box
As stated above, this RASA 8 comes readied with an M42 camera adapter as well as a C-thread camera adapter. These two inclusions make camera attachment quick and easy and help you get out and under the stars in no time! Also added is a CGE (Losmandy-D) style dovetail bar for mounting atop a wide variety of equatorial mounts. To make powering the built-in fan effortless, Celestron has added a battery pack that plugs into the 12V power port. Eight AA batteries (not included) power this fan, providing a convenient, compact power system.