The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (Celestron RASA 36), is a cost-effective optical system for space surveillance, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), other scientific applications, and advanced wide field astroimaging. It offers unprecedented value in aperture, speed, field of view, and optical performance. The RASA design has a convenient external prime-focus image capture location with a flat focal plane, providing small spot sizes to the edge of a wide field. The result is images free of optical defects like field curvature, off-axis coma, and astigmatism.
The 36 cm aperture version is the largest RASA Celestron manufactures; it is the biggest and fastest (f/2.2) optical instrument of its kind available off-the-shelf. Unlike most telescopes, which only focus visible light (400-700 nm), the RASA 36 cm focuses an extended spectral range (400-900 nm), allowing a brighter signal to be detected by a camera sensor. The RASA 36 cm also features a redesigned focus system, which ensures easy and stable focusing.
RASA 36 c sample back-focus distance (77.5 mm) accommodates a wide variety of imaging sensors. A custom camera adapter can be added for a field of view up to 4.4 degrees.
Important freight requirement RASA 36 is a professional-caliber, high-precision instrument. It is manufactured and aligned to an exacting standard to provide exceptional optical performance. The telescope has been packaged to ensure it retains alignment and resulting performance during transport. However, due to the weight, size, and known stresses of shipping via parcel service, Celestron has determined that the ideal transport is a palletized delivery via LTL truck freight. For all Australian deliveries, Celestron will ship via this method. Please contact us for further freight costs
| OPTICAL TUBE INFO: | |
|---|---|
| Optical Design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph |
| Aperture | 355.6mm (14") |
| Focal Length | 790mm (31.1") |
| Focal Ratio | f/2.2 |
| Central obstruction diameter | 158mm (6.22")(44% of aperture diameter) |
| Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye) | 2581X |
| Resolution (Rayleigh) | 0.39 arc seconds |
| Resolution (Dawes) | 0.36 arc seconds |
| Image circle | 60.1mm (2.36") Ø, 4.4° |
| Useable field | 70mm (2.75") Ø, 5.1°, only minimal performance loss at edge of FOV |
| Wavelength range | 400 – 900 nm |
| Spot size | < 6.3 μm RMS across FOV |
| Optical coatings | Enhanced aluminum, XLT multi-coatings used throughout |
| Off-axis Illumination | 83% at 30mm (1.18") off-axis |
| Optical window | 104mm (4.09") Ø |
| Back focus with included camera adapter | 55mm (2.16") |
| Back focus from top of threaded collar | 77.5mm (3.05") |
| Optical Tube | Aluminum |
| Optical Tube Length | 1079.5mm (42.5") |
| Optical Tube Diameter | 406.4mm (16") |
| Focuser | New focuser design, minimizes focus shift |
| Finderscope | Not included |
| Optical Tube Weight | 75 lbs (34.02 kg) |
| Other features | Ventilation fan, dual dovetail mounting bars |
| Included items | 48mm (1.89") camera adapter, fan battery pack |