{"product_id":"celestron-rasa-36-v2","title":"Celestron RASA 36cm V2 Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCelestron RASA 36 V2 Optical Tube Assembly (CGE Dovetail)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the flagship of Celestron's Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph line — a 36 cm (14\", 355.6 mm) aperture optical system operating at an extraordinarily fast \u003cstrong\u003ef\/2.2\u003c\/strong\u003e with a 790 mm focal length. Built around a 4-element lens group using extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, it delivers a flat, coma- and astigmatism-free field across a huge 60 mm image circle. With an extended 400–900 nm spectral range, the new Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS), and StarBright XLT coatings, the RASA 36 V2 is the largest and fastest off-the-shelf astrograph Celestron makes — engineered for professional scientific imaging and the most demanding wide-field astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho Is This Product Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RASA 36 V2 is built for \u003cstrong\u003eadvanced and professional astrophotographers, observatory and research installations, and scientific\/space-surveillance users\u003c\/strong\u003e. It suits imagers who want to capture faint, wide-field deep-sky targets in very short exposures, as well as institutions performing Space Situational Awareness (SSA), near-Earth object tracking, and sky surveys. It is a camera-only instrument for serious, well-funded imaging programs — not a visual telescope and not a beginner or casual setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose This Product?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlistering f\/2.2 speed\u003c\/strong\u003e — capture faint, low-surface-brightness deep-sky objects in a fraction of the exposure time of slower systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e14\" \/ 36 cm aperture\u003c\/strong\u003e — the largest RASA Celestron manufactures, with ~2581× the light-gathering power of the human eye.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4-element ED lens group\u003c\/strong\u003e — pinpoint stars free of false color, coma, and field curvature across a 60 mm image circle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUltra-Stable Focus System (USFS)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a precision linear ball bearing minimizes image shift and mirror flop for locked-in focus from zenith to horizon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtended 400–900 nm spectral range\u003c\/strong\u003e — captures near-IR signal most telescopes can't, for brighter overall detection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt-in cooling\u003c\/strong\u003e — 12V MagLev fan with dust-filtered vents speeds thermal equilibrium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible mounting\u003c\/strong\u003e — dual CGE \/ Losmandy-D dovetail bars and rear-cell accessory holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field deep-sky astrophotography of nebulae, galaxies, and large emission regions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast, short-exposure imaging of faint, low-surface-brightness targets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace surveillance and Space Situational Awareness (SSA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNear-Earth object tracking and wide-field sky surveys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObservatory-class and permanent-pier scientific imaging programs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-system professional RASA deployments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCamera mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Imaging sensor mounts at the front prime-focus location. Includes a 48 mm (M48) camera adapter; custom adapters allow a field of view up to 4.4°.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBack focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 mm with the included camera adapter; 77.5 mm from the top of the threaded collar — accommodates a wide range of imaging sensors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFront-end load limit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron recommends no more than ~38 lbs of camera\/accessory load at 5.6\" from the corrector.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual CGE \/ Losmandy-D dovetail bars. At ~34 kg (75 lb) tube weight, a high-capacity mount well above that figure is required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus motor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compatible with the optional Celestron Focus Motor (#94155-A) for motorized, backlash-free focusing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e M48 camera adapter and fan battery pack. Finderscope is \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant Limitations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCamera-only — not for visual observing.\u003c\/strong\u003e The RASA design places the sensor at the front of the tube; it cannot be used with eyepieces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot a beginner instrument.\u003c\/strong\u003e It requires imaging experience, a capable mount, and appropriate camera\/adapter selection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge and heavy\u003c\/strong\u003e — ~34 kg (75 lb), 42.5\" long, 16\" diameter. A two-person lift is required to mount it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo finderscope included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreight-only shipping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Due to its size, weight, and precision alignment, it ships via palletized LTL truck freight; freight is billed separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFront-end accessory load is limited — oversized camera trains can affect performance and balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. The RASA 36 V2 is a professional-grade astrograph for experienced imagers and institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast, wide-field deep-sky astrophotography and scientific applications such as space surveillance and sky surveys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it for visual observing or astrophotography?\u003c\/strong\u003e Astrophotography only — it is a camera-based astrograph and cannot be used visually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat cameras and adapters does it work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e It ships with a 48 mm (M48) camera adapter and accommodates a wide range of imaging sensors within its 55–77.5 mm back-focus range; custom adapters extend the usable field up to 4.4°.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it require additional accessories?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — a high-capacity mount, an imaging camera with the correct adapter, and typically a guiding solution. A focus motor (#94155-A) is optional but recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it different from other astrographs?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its combination of 36 cm aperture, f\/2.2 speed, flat 60 mm image circle, extended 400–900 nm range, and the Ultra-Stable Focus System makes it the fastest large-aperture astrograph available off-the-shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen should it not be recommended?\u003c\/strong\u003e For visual observers, beginners, portable\/travel setups, light or budget mounts, or anyone who can't accommodate freight delivery and a two-person installation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Recommendation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Ontario Telescope and Accessories, we recommend the Celestron RASA 36 V2 for the advanced imager, observatory, or research program that needs maximum aperture and speed for wide-field deep-sky or scientific imaging. It solves the problem of capturing faint, expansive targets quickly and with pinpoint star quality edge-to-edge. It is not the right choice for visual observers, beginners, or portable setups — but for serious camera-based imaging at scale, the RASA 36 V2 is in a class of its own. Note that this is a freight-shipped, two-person-install instrument; plan your mount and observing site accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping - Shipping will be quoted separately.  This ships on a pallet and direct from Celestron.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Celestron","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":53181078143087,"sku":"91078","price":20848.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/91078_Rowe-Ackermann_Schmidt_Astrograph_36cm_v2_01.jpg?v=1780430303","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/celestron-rasa-36-v2","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}