TS-Optics 6 inch f/9 RC Telescope on Skywatcher EQ3 mount

TS-Optics 6" f/9 RC Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope

Most large professional telescope are constructed according to the RC principle. Until recently, these telescopes were unaffordable for amateurs. RC telescopes from Teleskop Service are primarily aimed to amateur astronomers with photographic interest.

These telescopes are perfectly suited for high-resolution astrophotography. Of course, an RC can also be used for visual observing. Here, the large corrected field of view is noticeable, too. In total, the stars are sharper than, for example, in a Schmidt-Cassegrain.

The advantages of the TS-Optics RC Telescopes at a glance:

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

Astrophotography with camera sensors up to 30 mm diameter possible without corrector. For larger sensors, like full-frame size, Teleskop-Service offers ready-to-use corrector solutions.

99% dielectric high-reflectivity coating on main and secondary mirror for an even brighter image.

Significantly shorter cooling down time through open construction and active primary mirror ventilation.

Internal baffles in the tube for even more contrast.

High back focus for correctors, reducers and also binoviewers.

High-quality 2" Crayford focuser for 2" and 1.25" accessories with compression ring

Due to a redesign of the baffle tube, problems with stray light no longer occur. Nevertheless, the illumination is still very good. Sensors up to full frame format can be used.

The equatorial mount Skywatcher EQ3

The equatorial mount EQ3 handles the RC with reasonable stability - absolutely sufficient for visual observations. This telescope is our recommendation for all beginners who are looking for a very contrasty and upgradable telescopes at a reasonable price.

portable equatorial mount with manual fine adjustment in both axes

the mount supports the telescope with good stability

height-adjustable aluminium tripod

fully upgradable with polar scope, stepper motor drive, or GoTo control

Further information about the equatorial mount Skywatcher EQ3

Astrophotography with the TS-Optics 8" RC telescope:

Better and sharper astrophotos without corrector with shorter exposure times. This is exactly what this RC telescope allows you to do with astro cameras and SLRs up to APS-C sensors. As a pure mirror system, you can even use the infrared light. You can achieve up to 25% shorter exposure times and sharper imaging than, for example, through a comparable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. For the use of a reflex camera without focal length reduction you need the 50mm and the 25mm extension between focuser and telescope.

The generous backfocus also allows the connection of correctors, which we recommend from the use of full-frame sensors. You can also connect a focal length reducer, thus further increasing the light intensity of the RC.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

The RC telescopes are very well suited for astrophotography. Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin

0.67x CCD reducer for astrophotography

The CCD47 improves the focal ratio from f/8 to f/5.36, thus reducing the exposure time to less than 50%. With this, you can capture dim nebulae and galaxies with moderate exposure times.

Primary and secondary mirror of quartz glass with 99% reflectivity and protective dielectrical quarz layer:

Quartz glass does not change its dimensions if temperature changes. When the temperature changes slowly during an exposure, other mirror substrates, like Pyrex, tend to a deformation of the mirror and thus to a shift of the focus. This problem does not exist for mirrors of quartz glass. Thus the focus is better maintained which is very important for long exposures. Both mirrors are coated with 99% reflectivity. The image is obviously brighter than the one of telescopes with only 90% or 94% reflection layer.

The advantages of TS RC telescopes for astrophotography:

The TS RC astrographs are true Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes. Maksutovs and Schmidt-Cassegrains have spherical mirrors and need correctors for making a large field usable. With Schmidt-Cassegrains, you can see the aberrations in the field even when working visually. Most times, Maksutov-Cassegrains are so slow that they are not suitable for astrophotography. RC telescopes have hyperbolical primary and secondary mirrors. They are more difficult to manufacture, but offer a significantly sharper field with less aberrations throughout the field.

Why is the RC Telescope superior to Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with correctors:

Celestron EHD or Meade ACF telescopes need a corrector. Additionally, these telescopes have a Schmidt plate at the front side which is prone to dew. The RC is a pure reflection system without lenses in the light path. Thus you can use the complete light even in the infrared range. The image is brighter and the exposure times get shorter. The field of an RC telescope is coma-free by design and relatively flat.

No shifting problem with TS RC telescopes:

Telescopes with focusing via movable primary mirror often suffer from the shifting problem. The image shifts while focusing or even jumps. By now, Meade and Celestron have the problem under control, but the effect is noticable nonetheless. TS RC telescopes do not have this problem, as their primary mirror is fixed. Focusing is done via a high-quality focuser. An additional advantage is the optimal distance from primary to secondary mirror. This gives you the guarantee of the best possible image. If the primary mirror moves relatively to the secondary, you will practically never have the optimal distance.

Adjusting the RC telescope

We recommend the TSRCKOLLI or an collimating telescope for adjusting the telescope. These tools are linked in the "Cleaning & Collimating" section.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this telescope on Astrobin

The RC telescopes are very well suited for astrophotography. Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this telescope model: Link to Astrobin


Astro photography with the TS 6" f/9 RC Astrograph - Stefan Kienberger

The TS 6" Astrograph is a perfect scope for mobile astrophotography, especially with the Astro Physics Reducer CCDT67.

M42 - Orion Nebula ... Stefan Kienberger

... click on the image for full resolution

- Camera: EOS 450DA - ISO 800
- FL Reduction wiht CCDT67 of AstroPhysics
- Mount: N-EQ6 Skyscan Pro
- Exposure Time: 5x 6min / 5x 2min / 5x 5min
- Guiding: Finder guiding with M-Gen

M27 - Dumbell Nebula ... Stefan Kienberger

... click on the image for full resolution

- same telescope setup
- Exposure time 13x 6min / 10x 4min

Congratulations to the very good results



M51 with CCD Camera through the TS RC Astrograph

................................ Link to M51 with TS 6" RC

Photo made from Mr. Nicolas Grouwet
Congratulations

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