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Telescope-Astrographs-Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount

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Telescope-Astrographs-Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount

Name: Telescope-Astrographs-Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount
SKU: 15963
Availability: InStock

Original price was: $2,299.50.Current price is: $919.80.

Explore the universe with the Celestron RASA 800 telescope! Discover stunning astrophotography—order yours today!

101 in stock

Categories: Astrographs, Telescopes Tags: Astrographs, best beginner telescope, Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount, chandra telescope, extremely large telescope, sky and telescope magazine, Telescope, telescope for kids, telescope twxn, webb telescope

Overview

Fast Optics and Precise Tracking: The Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount!

The highly regarded 8” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph riding atop the heavy duty CGX Equatorial Mount is the ultimate system for seasoned astroimagers looking to take their astrophotography to the next level. Imaging at an incredibly fast focal ratio of f/2 is an astrophotographer’s dream, and the wide field of view lets you capture immense clouds of nebulosity in a single frame. This OTA is also equipped with premier glass for stunning images with zero coma and aberration. With quality like this, Celestron delivers an astrophotography experience that’s a cut above the rest!

An OTA of this caliber needs a just as impressive support system in place to maximize its abilities. This is why the Celestron CGX Equatorial Mount is the prime choice to pair with this 8” RASA. The belt driven system, robust worm gears, and spring loaded brass worm wheels provide smooth, seamless maneuvering across the night sky. Its high payload capacity of 55lbs easily carries this 17lb RASA, and allows the addition of a plethora of accessories! At the base of this mount is a sturdy and rigid stainless steel tripod for rock solid stability.

The Celestron RASA: An Optical Design Beyond Compare

Elevating the famed Schmidt Cassegrain Telescopes, Celestron has developed an optical system that takes astrophotography to the next level. The RASA optical design consists of a Schmidt corrector, primary mirror, lens group, and optical window. Four element rare-earth glass eliminates coma and field curvature, eradicates false color and aberration, and minimizes vignetting significantly. The patented Rowe Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph features an incredibly fast native focal ratio of f/2, an outstanding advancement from the typical f/10 systems! Imaging at a lower focal ratio means much more signal is collected in less time for brighter, more detailed images without a sacrifice in resolution. For instance, an exposure time of 30 seconds with the RASA is equivalent in brightness to an exposure time of ~10 minutes with an f/10 SCT. That’s 20x as fast! In addition to this, the focal length of just 400mm produces a wider field of view, allowing you to capture vast regions of the night sky. This shorter focal length paired with the fast focal ratio is much less demanding on the telescope mount, and in many cases, autoguiding may not even be required for sharp images. As opposed to other telescopes that only deliver peak performance in the visible spectrum (400nm to 700nm), the RASA excels within a wider spectral range of 390nm to 800nm. This allows for a greater collection of signal from celestial bodies. Celestron has also included enhanced aluminum coatings on the primary mirror and their patented StarBright XLT coatings on the refractor elements for maximum light transmission, improving performance even more.

Having systems in place to preserve image stability is crucial for the highest quality of astroimages possible. Understanding this, Celestron has assembled this 8” RASA with an internal focuser along with a built-in fan! This Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS) possesses a precision linear ball bearing for reduced image shift while focusing. Not only this, but this focus design also reduces the effects of mirror flop, the unwanted primary mirror movement during different telescope pointing positions. The 12V DC MagLev fan helps this RASA quickly reach temperature equilibrium with its external surroundings and provides dust filtered airflow through the optical tube. These carefully engineered additions aid in delivering peak performance for images brimming with clarity!

Push the Limits of Amateur Astronomy with this Powerful Telescope & Rock-Steady Equatorial Mount!

Celestron has crafted this CGX 800 RASA Computerized Telescope with immense light gathering abilities and substantial tracking precision. Easily adjoin your camera, and utilize this system as your personal backyard observatory. The option to add near limitless accessories elevates your astrophotography sessions, making this a well rounded, versatile set up for all of your astronomy endeavors. Read more about this Celestron Computerized Telescope below!

Effortless Camera Attachment

This 8” RASA is created specifically for astrophotography and functions solely as an astrograph, meaning it cannot be used visually. Optimized for sensors with up to a 22 mm diagonal, the 8″ RASA is meant to be paired with APS-C sized color CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras. DSLRs are incompatible with the RASA 8, and other camera bodies larger than 4” are not recommended as field illumination decreases with increased camera size. Celestron has included two camera adapters within this kit: an M42 adapter for use with the majority of cameras with standard T-threads, as well as a C-thread camera adapter. While using the M42 camera adapter, 25mm of back focus is required, and the addition of user supplied M42 extension rings may be necessary. For instance, if your camera has a back focal distance of 17.5mm, you will then need an added 7.5mm of M42 spacers to reach proper focus. 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. When ready to affix your camera to this RASA 8, a few simple steps ensue: (1) Place the included knurled retaining ring over the appropriate camera adapter, then loosely thread it onto the front housing of the RASA; (2) next, thread your camera onto the adapter; and (3) finish threading in the retaining ring to secure everything in place, ensuring that you are not over-tightening as to prevent damage to the telescope. Now you’re all set to image! This retaining ring can be loosened and retightened to allow for camera rotation as well.

55lb Payload, High Precision Tracking
A high payload capacity, precision mechanics, and a user friendly design makes this Celestron CGX a fitting choice to pair with the 8” RASA. As so, this equatorial mount can be loaded with up to 55lbs of equipment, and hauls this 17lb telescope with ease. The belt driven system within the mount head provides consistent motor operation, and spring loaded worm wheels in both axes keep tracking steady and precise. Designed with astronomy enthusiasts in mind, ergonomics such as well placed carrying handles, smooth latitude/azimuth adjustment knobs, internal cabling, and easy to grip dovetail knobs make user experience a dream! Also, the EQ head position can be adjusted to centralize this system’s weight over the tripod for further stability.

Included NexStar+ Hand Controller
Equipped with a NexStar+ hand controller, easily find objects to observe, star align, and even polar align your mount! With the All Star Polar Alignment routine built into this hand controller, polar alignment can be achieved even with obstructed views of the celestial poles. An object database of over 40,000 objects and the ability to add 100 user defined targets will have you exploring the cosmos night after night, and 19 large, back lit buttons are clearly labeled and easy to navigate. Enjoy clear 2 line x 18 character lettering with the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, illuminated in red to help preserve your night vision! In addition, this controller has a USB port for connection to a PC for software control. Please note: Celestron does not include a USB cable with their hand controller. We recommend the Apertura USB 2.0 Cable for Celestron NexStar+ Hand Controllers.

Optimized for Backyard Observatories
Looking to engage in backyard observing? This RASA 800 Computerized Telescope is perfect for you! The home and limit sensors as well as the mechanical hard stop built into the CGX work together to prevent accidental collisions with the tripod. These equipment protection mechanisms give you a peace of mind knowing your gear stays safe without having to constantly monitor your rig. Also, your power supply remains intact with the threaded, fixed power port, and internal cabling helps prevent loose cables from getting caught. With the mount head weight of 44lbs, tripod weight of 19lbs, OTA weight of 17lbs, and two 11lb counterweights, this burly system excels as a stationary, long term setup. Having a ready-to-go system such as this one drastically cuts down on set up time and allows for more observation time. With features like these, the Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount earns our High Point Scientific category badge of Backyard Observing!

Upgrade Your Experience with a Myriad of Accessories!
Two available AUX ports found on the CGX provide the option to add a wide range of accessories. Whether you want to attach the Celestron StarSense AutoAlign for your alignment or needs, or even add WiFi capabilities to this CGX with the SkyPortal WiFi Module, Celestron has you covered! Wanting precise, hands-free focusing capabilities? The Celestron Focus Motor allows you to remotely focus your RASA with your favorite software or even with the included NexStar+ hand controller. Connect the StarSense Autoguider to this CGX for improved tracking and even better astroimages! With this multitude of accessories and upgrades, your Celestron RASA 800 with CGX Equatorial Mount is timeless.