Celestron

Celestron 11" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph RASA V2

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Your Price: $5,940.00
SKU:
91076
UPC:
50234910767
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Product Overview

  • Fast, wide-field 11” f/2.2 optical design with rare-earth glass for images free of false color, coma, and field curvature
  • Large 43.3mm optimized image circle maintains pinpoint stars to the far corners of even the largest astroimaging sensors, while the usable field extends even further to 52mm for larger format sensors
  • New Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS) minimizes focus shift and mirror flop
  • Integrated air-cooling system features a quiet, high-output 12V MagLev fan and vents with mesh filters to prevent dust ingress
  • Common camera adapters (T-thread and M48) included for easy attachment to popular CCD and DSLR cameras

Capturing impressive deep-sky astroimages is easier than ever with Celestron’s Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) V2, the perfect companion to today’s top DSLR or astronomical CCD cameras. This fast, wide-field f/2.2 system allows for shorter exposure times compared to traditional f/10 astroimaging, without sacrificing resolution. Because shorter sub-exposure times are possible, your equatorial mount won’t need to accurately track over extended periods. The short focal length also lessens equatorial tracking demands. In many cases, autoguiding will not be required.

RASA 11 V2 builds on the legacy of Celestron’s Schmidt Cameras, which allowed astrophotographers to produce images with much shorter exposure times on film in the 1970s.

Today, with CCD sensor sizes as large as film or larger, the RASA 11 V2 offers a 43.3mm optimized image circle to capture pinpoint stars on the largest imaging chips. Optical performance for huge sensors with diagonals of up to 52mm wide is still excellent.

Combine this large image circle with a focal length of just 620mm and you have an instrument suitable for wide-field imaging, creating huge mosaics of the night sky, surveying, and even comet hunting.

Optical Performance
The RASA 11 V2 features optics with 4-element rare-earth glass for images free of false color and aberrations like coma and field curvature. The optical quality and spot size across the entire image circle are unprecedented for an astrograph in this price range—or even that of a much more expensive instrument. The design also provides minimal vignetting.

Advanced Features
RASA 11 V2 utilizes the new Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS). At the heart of this system is a precision linear ball bearing. The bearing serves to minimize focus shift (unwanted lateral motion of the primary mirror during focusing which causes shifting of the image) and mirror flop (movement of the primary mirror when the telescope is pointing to different positions in the sky). The USFS is also compatible with the optional Celestron Focus Motor (#94155-A). The integrated 12V DC MagLev fan reduces cooldown time and provides optimal airflow through the dust filtered optical tube.

Engineered as a complete astroimaging system, every component of the RASA 11 V2 is optimized for peak performance with DSLR and astronomical CCD cameras. Down to the thickness of the glass used in the included fully-multicoated optical window or optional imaging filter, every component of the system has been taken into careful consideration to work together seamlessly. The Dovetail CGE bars on the top of the optical tube provides a connection for use of optional accessories like a guidescope.

Specifications

OPTICAL TUBE INFO:
Optical DesignRowe-Ackermann Schmidt
Aperture (mm)279 mm
Focal Length620 mm
Focal Ratio2.22
Central obstruction diameter114 mm (41% of aperture diameter)
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye)1588x
Resolution (Rayleigh)0.49 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes)0.41 arc seconds
Image Circle43.3 mm Ø , 4.0°
Useable field52.mm Ø , 4.8° only minimal performance loss at edge of FOV
Wavelength range400 - 700 nm
Spot size< 4.4 µm RMS across FOV
Optical CoatingsStarBright XLT
Off-axis Illumination83% at 21 mm off-axis
Optical Window68 mm Ø
Back focus with included camera adapter55 mm
Back focus from top of threaded collar72.8 mm
Optical TubeAluminum
Optical Tube Length33" length, 13" diameter
FocuserFeatherTouch microfocuser, coarse and fine focus
FinderscopeNot included
Optical Tube Weight43 lbs
Other FeaturesVentilation fan, dual dovetail mounting bars, mirror support clutches
Included items42 mm T-thread camera adapter, 48 mm camera adapter, fan battery pack

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