TS-Optics Light Shade for the Baffle Tube of 12" RC Telescopes

TS-Optics Light Shade for the Baffle Tube of 12" f/8 RC Telescopes

The baffle tube of the RCs is very generously calculated. However, if very large sensors are used, scattered light can pass the secondary mirror through the baffle tube into the direction of the camera. The result is a brightening of the image or in the worst case even curved reflections.

This light shade reduces the front diameter of the baffle tube a little and thus prevents the penetration of stray light. The contrast is increased. Nevertheless, the free opening is large enough for even full format sensors to be illuminated.

The adaptation of the shade is very simple, it is simply put on the baffle tube and carefully fixed with the three grub screws. The screws only need to be tightened moderately, they only prevent the shade from falling off the baffle tube.

We would like to thank the amateur astronomer and owner of a 14" RC, H. Schäffner, who made us aware of this possibility of improvement through his research and made the development of this article possible.