GSO 12″ CARBON Tecnosky

TS 12″ f/8 RC astrograph – a true Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with 304 mm aperture and 2432 mm focal length – perfectly suitable for astrophotography

• ♦ Aperture 12″ / 304 mm
• ♦ Focal length 2432 mm
• ♦ Focal ratio f/8
• ♦ Hyperbolic primary and secondary mirror for very high sharpness on the optical axis and a large well-corrected field for astrophotography
• ♦ Mirrors made of fused silica for stable focus position
• ♦ 99% dielectric high-reflectivy coating on main and secondary mirror for an even brighter image
• ♦ Quicker cooling down thanks to open construction and primary mirror ventilation
• ♦ Two Losmandy style dovetail bars supplied – ideal for accessories like guiding scopes or a piggyback camera mount
• ♦ Carbon tube – more rigidity and better focus stability for astrophotography
• ♦ 3″ MONORAIL focuser with M69 thread connection and 2″ / 1.25″ reduction adapter
• ♦ Extension tubes for the focuser (2x 25 mm, 1x 50 mm) are supplied (image at left)
• ♦ RC correctors for larger sensors are optionally available
• ♦ SPECIAL OFFER: CCD47 – 0.67x focal reducer for photography – at an absolutely special price if purchased directly from TS at the same time – item number CCD47-S

 

 

TS-Optics 12″ f/8 RC Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope with Carbon Tube
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.
♦ High back focus for correctors, reducers and also binoviewers.
♦ High-quality 3″ MONORAIL focusers with M69x1 connection thread and 2″/1.25″ receptacles.Astrophotography with the RC telescope:

Due to the large corrected field of view, you can, for example, use a DSLR up to APS-C format without corrector. Thus the RC is a pure mirror system for astrophotography. The images become ultrasharp. For imaging dirctly in the focus, you will need the M117x1 extension tubes which are supplied. They are threaded between telescope and focuser, thus reducing back-focus.

The generous back-focus also allows attaching correctors which we recommend when using sensors of at least full-frame size. You can also attach a focal reducer, thus further increasing the speed of the RC.

You can connect the camera via 2″ receptacle or thread it via the female M69x1 thread of the focuser. Suitable adapters can be found in the accessories section.

The advantages of a carbon tube over a metal tube:
The weight reduction is at least about 1000 grams – but the main advantage ist the focus stability when temperature changes. That is important for astrophotography. When temperatures drop, metal contracts and the focus moves. Refocusing is necessary. A carbon tube does not change, the combination of quartz glass mirror and carbon composite tube makes a readjustment of the sharpness obsolete, even for long time exposures.

The 3″ MONORAIL focuser – more than a Crayford:

 

The Monorail focuser combines the ease of movement of a Crayford focuser with the stiffness of a rack-and-pinion focuser. Thus astrophotography becomes a success.

♦ Massive stainless steel rail instead of small ball bearings for more stiffness.
♦ No tilting anymore when locking the drawtube.
♦ 360° rotation for optimal object alignment
♦ Female M69x1 thread for threaded adaptions
♦ 2″ and 1.25″ compression rings for push adaptions
♦ 1:10 dual speed for accurate focusing
♦ Motor focus can easily retrofitted
♦ Lined scale for quick retrieving of the focus.
♦ Easy operation

Astrophotography with the RC telescope:
Due to the large corrected field of view, you can, for example, use a DSLR up to APS-C format without corrector. Thus the RC is a pure mirror system for astrophotography. The images become ultrasharp.

The generous back-focus also allows attaching correctors which we recommend when using sensors of at least full-frame size. You can also attach a focal reducer, thus further increasing the speed of the RC.

♦ Using an SLR without focal reducer: you need a 50 mm and a 25 mm extension tube between focuser and telescope (item # GSRCV50 and GSRCV25).

♦ Using an SLR with focal reducer CCDT67 or CCD47: in this case, a 50 mm extension tube between focuer and telescope (item # GSRCV50) is sufficient.

SPECIAL OFFER 0.67x CCD reducer for astrophotography at a special price

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.

Save lots of money! When purchasing this RC telescope and the CCD47 directly from TS at the same time, you get the reducer for only Euros 69.- incl. sales tax (instead of Euros 195.-). Of course, the promotional article CCD47 is an absolutely new part with full warranty.

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.

 

Technical Data

Optical Design: True RC with a hyperbolic primary and secondary mirror
Aperture: 304 mm / 12″
Focal Length: 2432 mm
Focal Ratio: f/8
Resolution: 0.38″
Reflectivity: 99% reflectivity non-tarnishing dielectric mirror coatings
Back focus: 233 mm from the back, 127 mm from the 2″ receptacle of the focuser
Connection at focuser: 2″, 1.25″ and M69x1 thread (female)
Tube Diameter: 356 mm
Tube Length: 890 mm without focuser – 1010 mm with focuser
Weight: 18 kg
Total Obstruction by Secondary: 150 mm
Dovetail bars: 2x Losmandy style with tube rings
Dimensions transport box: 1150 x 530 x 510 mm (LBH)
Weight shipping box: 32 kg

In the Box

♦ TS 12″ f/8 RC Astrograph with Carbon Tube
♦ 3″ Monorail focuser with reduction to 2″ and to 1.25″
♦ Tube Rings with flat support surfaces on both sides
♦ 2x Dovetails – Losmandy style