Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain Telescope
Though newer and more novel optical designs have tried to topple this timeless telescope from the short list of top visual scope designs, the classical Cassegrain’s performance is a tough act to follow. Blending this excellent and foundational design with a modern build, new quality-of-life features, and performance optimizations, Apertura created the 6″ Classical Cassegrain — the way to enjoy this ageless visual observing powerhouse in the modern age!
Though Apertura isn’t the first to try and modernize this excellent classic design, they have methodically optimized — or in their words, correctly sized — the optical elements to push optical performance further than other classical offerings! This meticulous design process has resulted in a telescope that will take full advantage of the 6″ aperture instead of effectively reducing like other offerings have, thus making the stellar views a classic Cassegrain provides even more stunning! Compared to derivative designs like the RC, SCT, and Mak-Cass, this f/12 telescope provides views of the night sky with more fine detail and contrast an f/9 Ritchey-Chretien of the same size, without the need for the stray-light and dew catching front glass element of an Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain. With an 1800 mm focal length, the Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain can render these views on objects both large and small, allowing you to get a closer look at the massive Orion nebula and small NGC6910 open cluster — all with commonly available eyepieces and this 12 lb. compact scope!
A Case for the Classical Cassegrain in the Modern World
With just a parabolic primary mirror and hyperbolic secondary, the classic Cassegrain design is fully corrected for spherical aberration, has substantial coma correction (with most setups not requiring a coma corrector at all), a well illuminated field, and no chromatic aberration. This design allows the eyepiece to be set at a comfortable position, reduces dew concerns present on corrector-reliant telescope designs, and doesn’t need the ‘reading glasses’ of an SCT and Mak-Cass. This model from Apertura also has a smaller central obstruction, allowing this f/12 to provide a higher level of contrast than a similarly sized f/9 RC scope. All these factors combine to make a telescope that still makes an excellent case for going back this foundational optical design for visual use! For a deeper dive into what gives the classical Cassegrain optical design so much staying power and how Apertura has taken it to new heights, be sure the check out our article A Classical Cassegrain Telescope for the Modern World.
A Modern Classic
There’s more to the Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain than just an optimized optical design! A smooth and strong focuser, stray light defeating baffles, and connections/adapters you need to connect all the most popular visual equipment — all backed by a warranty you can rely on!
Optimized Secondary Optics
Classically, modern renditions of the classic Cassegrain design have featured a smaller secondary mirror and baffle tube. This has resulted in offerings that effectively reduce the useable aperture of the telescope — until now! By increasing the secondary mirror proportions, or properly sizing them as Apertura states, you can now enjoy the classic Cassegrain optical design in its optimal form.
Smooth Operation
At the heart of this telescope’s premium 2″ focuser is a linear bearing system that helps your gear glide effortlessly across the entire range of focus. With a mechanism supported by a multitude of ball bearings, rather than just a few bearing surfaces like a Crayford focuser, this linear bearing system can support even the stoutest eyepieces and visual diagonals without issue! The 10:1 dual-speed focus knobs make precisely focusing on your target a breeze, though for those interested in a more methodical approach Apertura has designed out-of-the-box bracket-style electronic focuser compatibility into this linear system, making installation of ZWO’s popular Advanced Electronic Automatic Focuser – 5V USB Version w/ Hand Controller and Sensor and other popular electronic upgrades easy!
Advanced Baffle System
The Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain uses a complex mirror baffling system, consisting of three distinct sections: a primary mirror baffle, a secondary mirror baffle, and optical tube baffles. Where others have used sub-optimally sized mirror baffles, decreasing effective aperture, Apertura has tuned these systems to maximize the performance of the precision optics. With eight knife-edge baffles running the length of the interior of the optical tube, this telescope also provides enhanced contrast over unbaffled systems, by catching rays of stray light before they reach the mirrors.
Ultimate Equipment Compatibility
With 1.25″ and 2″, M56, M54, M48, and M42 connections supported right out-of-the-box, the Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain supports a wide variety of astronomical equipment! Additionally building out your system has never been easier with Apertura’s detailed system charts (included in the digital manual available for download in the Product Attachments tab) that show you how to construct a number of popular optical trains.
Recommended Accessories (Sold Separately)
With such a wide range of compatible accessories, there are a lot of great upgrades for the Apertura 6″ Classical Cassegrain! For those wondering where to start, check out our short list of excellent add-ons — starting with the Apertura M56 Camera Rotator which makes angling your threaded accessories for comfortable viewing, easy! The Apertura 2″ Twist Lock Carbon Dielectric Mirror Diagonal pairs with this perfectly and allows you to easily make quick, secure, 2″ accessory changes a cinch. Looking to mount accessories to the top of your Classic Cassegrain? This V-Style Dovetail Plate provides a sturdy base for a wide variety of additions! Finally, to make precision focus adjustments without needing to jostle your gear, the ZWO Advanced Electronic Automatic Focuser – 5V USB Version w/ Hand Controller and Sensor is a simple to integrate solution!
Comes with the Apertura Absolute Warranty
The Apertura Absolute Warranty provides two years of coverage against product defects. After the initial two-year warranty expires, this product qualifies for Apertura’s Three-Year Accident Replacement Program. In addition, the Apertura Absolute Warranty is transferable! Download a copy of the Apertura Absolute Warranty for more information on this program, how to make a claim, and why it is important to keep your original receipt and the product’s original boxes and packaging!
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