TS Optics GSO RC 203/1624 Carbon Ritchey-Chretien OTA

Description

Eliminating off-axis coma across broad photographic fields, the TS Optics GSO RC 203/1624 Carbon Ritchey-Chretien OTA is a true Ritchey-Chretien coma-free all-reflective system optical tube assembly engineered for faint extragalactic galaxy imaging and compact emission nebulae. Operating at an f/8.0 focal ratio with a 1624mm focal length, this 203mm (7.99 in) aperture instrument delivers a 0.57 arcseconds theoretical resolving power and reaches magnitude 14.2, providing high optical throughput for deep-sky astrophotography without chromatic aberration.

The optical train features hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors manufactured from fused quartz substrates, treated with 99% high-reflectivity enhanced dielectric coatings and a protective SiO2 overcoat. Housed in a low-expansion carbon fiber tube measuring 500mm without focuser and 580mm with focuser with a 230mm outer diameter, the assembly exhibits a 42% central obstruction by diameter (17.6% by area) and supplies 159mm of back focus from the rear mechanical thread. Fitted with an external 2-inch Monorail dual-speed linear bearing focuser, this 6.10 kg (13.45 lbs) astrograph covers a native 30mm image circle and illuminates a 44mm full-frame format when paired with optional field correctors.

Key Features of TS Optics GSO RC 203/1624 Carbon Ritchey-Chretien OTA

Built for deep-sky imaging of galaxies and planetary nebulae, this 203mm Ritchey-Chretien pairs low-expansion fused quartz mirrors with a carbon fiber chassis to minimize focal drift. An external dual-speed Monorail focuser, dual Losmandy and Vixen dovetail bars, and three M90 extension spacers provide a stable platform for astronomical CCD and CMOS cameras.

• 203mm (7.99 in) clear aperture with 1624mm focal length and f/8.0 optical speed
• True Ritchey-Chretien optical design with hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors
• Fused quartz mirror substrates paired with a low thermal expansion carbon fiber tube
• Enhanced dielectric mirror coatings with 99% reflectivity and protective SiO2 layer
• 2-inch Monorail dual-speed linear bearing focuser 1:10 preventing primary mirror shift
• Generous 159mm back focus distance with three included thread-on M90 extension spacers
• Native 30mm image circle expandible to 44mm full-frame format with optional correctors
• Dual dovetail bars with bottom 75mm Losmandy and top 44mm Vixen rails included

Hyperbolic Fused Quartz Optics & Carbon Fiber Stability

Hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors cancel coma and spherical aberration natively without refractive corrector plates. The combination of fused quartz substrates and a rigid carbon fiber tube maintains focus stability during ambient temperature drops, supporting high-contrast visual and photographic magnifications from 29.0x up to 406x.

Monorail Linear Bearing Focuser & Modular M90 Spacers

Because the primary mirror remains fixed within its rear support cell, focusing does not introduce mirror tilt or image shift. The external 2-inch Monorail focuser utilizes a central stainless steel guide rail with a 1:10 micro-drive, while three included M90 extension rings (two 25mm and one 50mm) allow precise spacing for filter wheels, off-axis guiders, and cameras.

• 2-inch Monorail dual-speed linear bearing focuser with 1:10 micro-tuning to eliminate drawtube sag
• Fixed primary mirror architecture ensuring optical collimation and field stability during exposures
• Three modular M90 threaded extension spacers (two 25mm, one 50mm) for flexible camera spacing

TS Carbon Ritchey-Chretien Series Warranty

The TS Optics GSO RC 203/1624 Carbon Ritchey-Chretien OTA is backed by a 2-year limited warranty against material and manufacturing defects. The complete factory package contains the Carbon Fiber RC 8-inch OTA with internal knife-edge baffles, 2-inch Monorail dual-speed focuser, 1.25-inch adapter, and three M90 extension rings.