TS-Optics GSO 406 mm f/8 RC telescope with carbon fiber primary mirror cell with optictest

TS 16" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope with carbon fiber primary mirror cell

The large RC is designed for photographic and visual use in observatories. With a length of only 1300 mm, this powerful telescope also has enough space in compact observatories. The RC illuminates about 70 mm of field very well. Without a corrector, you have a good, flat field with a diameter of about 35 mm. You have a pure reflection system, so you can also use the infrared light. For larger sensors or full-frame sensors with high resolution, however, we recommend a suitable corrector to improve the star image towards the edge.

Primary mirror cell specially developed for this telescope

The TS RC telescopes are known for their excellent optics. However, the mechanical design of the primary mirror cell has its limits when the telescopes are to be used over a wide temperature range, for example, and high adjustment stability is required over a long period of time.

The TS carbon primary mirror cell meets these requirements:

Base plate of the cell and axial bearing made of CFRP

Mirror supports made of hard plastic with very good sliding friction properties

Encapsulated or self-lubricating special bearings

Stainless steel connecting parts

Aperture ring included

Optimized air flow inside the cell for rapid temperature adjustment

General advantages of TS-Optics RC telescopes at a glance:

Hyperbolic primary mirror and secondary mirror for a large, fully corrected field of view.

Astrophotography with camera sensors up to 30 mm diameter is also possible without a corrector. For larger sensors, for example full frame, Teleskop-Service offers ready-made corrector solutions.

94% enhanced reflectivity on primary and secondary mirror for an even brighter image.

Significantly faster cool-down time due to open design and active primary mirror ventilation.

Internal baffles in the tube for even more contrast.

Large back focus for correctors, reducers or binoviewers

High-quality 3" MONORAIL focuser with M77x0.75 internal thread on the drawtube and M74x0.75 external thread and 2"/1.25" push-in connection.

Astrophotography with the RC telescope

Sensors up to APS-C format can be used without a corrector. The RC is a pure mirror system and can therefore also be used for infrared photography, provided the camera is sensitive to infrared light. If you want to use larger sensors or improve the focal ratio of f/8, we recommend additional correctors. We particularly recommend:

CCD47 2" 0.67x focal length reducer

The corrector improves the focal ratio from f/8 to a fast f/5.36 and significantly shortens the exposure time. It is simply connected via the 2" receptacle of the focuser.

TSRCRED-G2 3" 0.8x focal reducer

This corrector is specially designed for the RC telescopes from GSO and provides optimal results even with full-frame sensors. The focal ratio is improved to f/6.4. The corrector is screwed to the focuser and has a male M78x1 thread on the telescope side. Suitable adapters to the 3" Monorail are available.

Video with information about RC telescopes

On our YouTube account you will find a video about the characteristics of the Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes in general and the features of the GSO RCs in particular, as well as suggestions for accessories:

Collimating the RC telescope

We recommend using the TSRCKOLLI or a collimation telescope to adjust the telescope. These aids are linked in the "Adjustment and cleaning" section.

Instruction video

Teleskop-Service has made an instruction video on the subject of RC collimation:

Safety informations: PDF Download