Bintel GSO RC16-A f/8 Astrograph
The Ritchey Chretien astrograph with features to please imaging enthusiasts is finally here. 406mm f/8 true Ritchey Chretien provides excellent light grasp and resolution.
The focal length of 3250mm results in suitable image scale for a multitude of deep sky targets. Bintel's RCA series feature precision figured hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors.
As it contains no refractive optics there is no chromatic aberration at all - none. Primary and secondary mirrors are low thermal expansion quartz substrate with durable, high reflectivity dielectric coatings (>99% reflectivity across the entire visual spectrum).
A series of CNC-machined hexagonal aluminium support rings form the basic structure of the optical tube. Carbon fibre tubes connect the support rings in a Serrurier truss design. The front two rings support the spider vanes which support the secondary mirror housing. The two rear support rings have Losmandy (D style) dovetail bars on them for mounting to mount and for accessories to mount onto.
The serrurier truss system, first designed by Mark Serrurier whilst working on the 200" Hale telescope at Palomar mountain in 1935 has been used to stop flexure in telescopes. It works by supporting the primary and secondary mirrors with two sets of opposing trusses before and after the declination pivot point. The trusses are designed to have an equal amount of flexure, which allows the optics to stay on a common optical axis.
By having one set of trusses working against the other set of trusses ,thereby keeping the optical elements parallel to each other. This keeps the scope in collimation regardless where the scope is pointed on the mount.
The use of Carbon Fibre truss tubes eliminates the changes in focus due to thermal expansion.
Another great feature of these RC telescopes is their fixed primary mirror. The distance between the primary and secondary mirrors is precisely set during manufacturing to optimize optical performance.
All focusing is done using the 3" Dual Speed Linear Crayford focuser meaning focus is precise with no mirror shift commonly encountered with SCT and similar scopes.
Supplied with upgraded, heavy duty 3" dual speed linear Crayford focuser.
Supplied with D-Style wide dovetail mounting plate on top and bottom of scope.
Supplied with 3 threaded extension tubes that connect between the OTA and the focuser allowing correct spacing for CCD equipment.
Features designed baffle tube to suppress internal reflections. OTA Weight: 35kg without focuser
The weight of this OTA will require a mount with at least 45kg (100lb) capacity. i.e. Skywatcher EQ8, Losmandy Titan, Software Bisque MX+
Specifications
| Optical Design | Ritchey-Chrétien |
| Focal Length | 3250mm |
| Resolution | 0.29'(arc seconds) |
| Cooling Fans | 3 x cooling fans behind Primary mirror |
| Weight | 37kgs |
| Diameter | 406mm |
| Focal Ratio | F/8 |
| Back Focus | 260mm from rear cell |
| Extension Tubes | 1 x 50mm (410grms), 2 x 25mm (205 grms each) included (M117 x1mm Thread) |
| Focuser Weight | 1kg |
| Dovetails | Supplied with 2 x Losmandy (D style) Dovetails. |
| Collimating Ring | Optional |