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Orion Telescopes
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Orion 8 f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope
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  • 8" aperture Ritchey-Chretien telescope produces wonderfully flat, virtually coma-free astrophotographs that are superior to those achievable with conventional reflector or Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes of the same aperture
  • Ideal for use with both small and medium-format CCD astrophotography cameras and DSLRs; provides a wide, fully illuminated field and pinpoint star clarity out to the edge of the camera's sensor
  • Features a rotatable, machined, dual-speed (10:1) linear-bearing Crayford focuser that provides fine focus adjustment without slippage or flexure with heavy accessories attached
  • Designed with collimation in mind, Orion RC's feature a precisely center-marked secondary mirror and include a Cheshire collimating tool, making them the most convenient RC's to collimate available
  • Imaging contrast is optimized by virtue of ten computer-positioned baffles in the optical tube, four internal baffles in the primary mirror tube, and an internally glare-threaded secondary mirror light shield


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Item #  08958

As any prolific astrophotographer will tell you, the more light you can gather, the better your astrophotos will turn out. Combine light-gathering prowess with a compact design and an affordable price, and you're likely to end up with our new 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph. As a leading supplier of affordable imaging equipment and solutions for amateur astronomers, Orion is proud to introduce this highly regarded telescope design used by advanced astrophotographers and professional observatories worldwide — and even by the Hubble Space Telescope!

Previously available only in larger apertures that cost thousands more, the outstanding optical design of the Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph will allow you to capture spectacular, detailed images of deep-sky objects like never before. In contrast to conventional Newtonian reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs that are susceptible to coma away from the center of the field, the Ritchey-Chretien utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors to achieve wonderfully flat images that are virtually coma-free. In our 8" model, the mirrors are made of BK-7 optical glass with enhanced aluminum 94% - 96% reflectivity coatings, to provide diffraction-limited performance. Since there are no lenses involved, images are also free from chromatic aberration, which affects all but the finest, most expensive apochromatic refractors.

The Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope is ideal for use with small CCD-chip cameras such as our award-winning StarShoot line, as well as medium-format CCD and DSLR cameras, for deep-sky and solar system astrophotography. The telescope's wide, fully illuminated flat field produces pinpoint star clarity all the way to the edge of the camera's sensor.

The Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph features a machined, dual-speed (10:1) linear-bearing Crayford-style focuser with an engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube. The robust focuser provides precise fine focus adjustment without slippage or flexure with heavy accessories attached. One 2-inch and two 1-inch extension rings are included for adjusting the focus position for various cameras. Focus travel readily accommodates popular imaging accessories.

Orion Ritchey-Chretien Astrographs have been designed with collimation in mind. With an optical instrument of this caliber, precise optical alignment is of paramount importance. Each Orion RC secondary mirror is precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation and we even include a Cheshire collimation tool to make proper alignment of optics as convenient as possible.

The 21-inch enameled steel optical tube weighs only 15.8 lbs. and features a dovetail mounting bar underneath, for trouble-free setup on medium or large-sized Orion equatorial mounts. The inside of the optical tube is fortified with ten computer-positioned light baffles, and the primary mirror baffle tube and secondary mirror light shield are also highly baffled to ensure maximum image contrast.

Without a doubt, our 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph brings advanced astrophotography performance into the realm of affordability for most amateur astronomers. More affordable than comparably sized apochromatic refractors and without the coma that afflicts Newtonian reflectors, the Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope will take your astrophotography to new heights!

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Product Support
Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more
  • Best for viewing
    Brighter deep sky
  • Best for imaging
    Deep sky
  • User level
    Advanced
  • Optical design
    Ritchey-Chretien
  • Optical diameter
    200mm
  • Focal length
    1600mm
  • Focal ratio
    f/8.0
  • Optics type
    Hyperbolic
  • Resolving power
    0.58arc*sec
  • Lowest useful magnification
    29x
  • Highest useful magnification
    300x
  • Highest theoretical magnification
    400x
  • Limiting stellar magnitude
    14.2
  • Optical quality
    Diffraction limited
  • Finder scope
    None
  • Focuser
    2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford
  • Secondary mirror obstruction
    97mm
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
    48%
  • Secondary mirror obstruction by area
    23%
  • Mount type
    Optical Tube without Mount
  • Astro-imaging capability
    Lunar, planetary & long exposure
  • Tube material
    Steel
  • Length of optical tube
    21.8 in.
  • Weight, optical tube
    15.8 lbs.
  • Additional included accessories
    Two 1" and one 2" removable extension tubes, Orion collimation tool
  • Other features
    Ten knife edge baffles, Center marked secondary mirror
  • Warranty
    One year
One two inch long extension ring
Two one inch long extension rings
One 1.25 inch telescope eyepiece adapter insert
Starry Night Special Edition Software

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock item the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

Standard Delivery: $0.00
3 Day Delivery: $42.00
2 Day Delivery: $42.00
Next Day Delivery: $51.00

SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states, APO/DPO/FPO addresses and US territories/protectorates. Delivery is not available to Canada.

As any prolific astrophotographer will tell you, the more light you can gather, the better your astrophotos will turn out. Combine light-gathering prowess with a compact design and an affordable price, and you're likely to end up with our new 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph. As a leading supplier of affordable imaging equipment and solutions for amateur astronomers, Orion is proud to introduce this highly regarded telescope design used by advanced astrophotographers and professional observatories worldwide — and even by the Hubble Space Telescope!

Previously available only in larger apertures that cost thousands more, the outstanding optical design of the Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph will allow you to capture spectacular, detailed images of deep-sky objects like never before. In contrast to conventional Newtonian reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs that are susceptible to coma away from the center of the field, the Ritchey-Chretien utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors to achieve wonderfully flat images that are virtually coma-free. In our 8" model, the mirrors are made of BK-7 optical glass with enhanced aluminum 94% - 96% reflectivity coatings, to provide diffraction-limited performance. Since there are no lenses involved, images are also free from chromatic aberration, which affects all but the finest, most expensive apochromatic refractors.

The Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope is ideal for use with small CCD-chip cameras such as our award-winning StarShoot line, as well as medium-format CCD and DSLR cameras, for deep-sky and solar system astrophotography. The telescope's wide, fully illuminated flat field produces pinpoint star clarity all the way to the edge of the camera's sensor.

The Orion 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph features a machined, dual-speed (10:1) linear-bearing Crayford-style focuser with an engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube. The robust focuser provides precise fine focus adjustment without slippage or flexure with heavy accessories attached. One 2-inch and two 1-inch extension rings are included for adjusting the focus position for various cameras. Focus travel readily accommodates popular imaging accessories.

Orion Ritchey-Chretien Astrographs have been designed with collimation in mind. With an optical instrument of this caliber, precise optical alignment is of paramount importance. Each Orion RC secondary mirror is precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation and we even include a Cheshire collimation tool to make proper alignment of optics as convenient as possible.

The 21-inch enameled steel optical tube weighs only 15.8 lbs. and features a dovetail mounting bar underneath, for trouble-free setup on medium or large-sized Orion equatorial mounts. The inside of the optical tube is fortified with ten computer-positioned light baffles, and the primary mirror baffle tube and secondary mirror light shield are also highly baffled to ensure maximum image contrast.

Without a doubt, our 8" Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph brings advanced astrophotography performance into the realm of affordability for most amateur astronomers. More affordable than comparably sized apochromatic refractors and without the coma that afflicts Newtonian reflectors, the Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope will take your astrophotography to new heights!

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