Celestron 8" f/2.0 Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph RASA Telescope, OTA Only, Bundle with H-Alpha H-Beta OIII Imaging Filter and Light Pollution Imaging Filter

Find the perfect tool for capturing breathtaking wide-field deep sky images with the 8" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) Telescope. This portable astrograph from Celestron is designed to work seamlessly with today's color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras. Its fast f/2.0 system, combined with a patented optical design, allows you to produce sharp, detailed images in seconds, often eliminating the need for an autoguider.

Weighing just 17 pounds, the 8" RASA Telescope is easy to transport to remote dark sky locations. Its imaging capabilities deliver a flat field without optical aberrations, resulting in razor-sharp stars across a wide field of view. Capture stunning deep-sky astronomical images without the typical challenges presented by longer focal length instruments, and at a fraction of the cost.

This 8" RASA Telescope is a more portable and affordable version of the acclaimed RASA 11. It boasts many of the same features, including an integrated air-cooling system, internal filter mount, and sturdy CGE dovetail mounting bar. However, it's important to note that this model is purely designed for imaging and cannot be used visually.

Thanks to its F/2.0 optical system, you can use shorter exposure times to capture detail in faint objects. When paired with sensitive cameras and the appropriate "live stacking" software, the 8" RASA Telescope can provide an almost real-time observing experience. View images on a computer instantly that are brighter and more detailed than can be seen in much larger telescopes with the naked eye.

The 8" RASA Telescope features a new Ultra-Stable Focus System, which mitigates lateral movement of the primary mirror when focusing, slewing, or tracking with the astrograph. This makes focusing easier, more accurate, and more stable than ever. The system is built on two sets of precision bearings that are precisely aligned and tested during assembly to ensure optimal results.

Unlike larger RASAs that work with DSLR and large CCD cameras, this 8" model is designed with color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras in mind. It is optimized for sensors with up to a 22mm diagonal but performs well with sensors up to 32mm diagonal.

The unique optical design of the RASA Telescope is patented and consists of a Schmidt corrector, primary mirror, lens group, and optical window. The lens group contains 4 elements and utilizes rare-earth elements. The telescope's optics are designed to perform over a wider spectral range, from 390-800nm, allowing more of the light emitted from the astronomical object to be sharply focused in the image.

Celestron offers a Light Pollution Imaging Filter designed specifically for the 8" RASA, which mounts in place of the optical window. All refractive optical surfaces are coated with StarBright XLT coatings, while the primary mirror uses enhanced aluminum coatings. This maintains high light transmission through the entire optical system. When compared with "Hyperstar SCT" systems, the RASA 8 provides better optical performance and field illumination.