Vixen VMC260L, 260mm (10.24") Catadioptric Modified Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly for Atlux Mount

The Vixen VMC260L is a true all purpose telescope like the popular Schmidt-Cassegrain. Despite its long focal length, the tube is only about 650mm (20") long. As a result the instrument is very portable. With its large aperture the VMC260L collects enough light for serious visual and photographical applications for both planetary and deep sky observing. The large 260mm aperture Catadioptric design consists of two mirrors and two corrector lenses, one of which is a meniscus lens.

The corrector lenses, in front of the secondary mirror, virtually eliminate spherical aberration and field curvature. Focusing is through primary mirror movement. The VMC has a very good contrast. It is an excellent telescope for observing globular clusters, double stars and distant planets. With its open tube the telescope cools down quicker than an SCT or classical Maksutov-Cassegrain.

Another strong point of this telescope is its capability for high grade astro imaging. The meniscus correcting lens offers a large corrected field. With the optional reducer you get shorter exposure times. The basic configuration already contains a piggy-back camera holder. You can take photos both through the telescope and using a telephoto lens parallel to the main instrument, or you can use the VMC260L for guiding while the camera sits on top.