8" f/2.8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Astrograph

Built for fast, wide-field imaging, this 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system combines a 203.2 mm aperture with a fast f/2.8 focal ratio and a 568 mm focal length. The result is a compact, high-speed imaging platform designed to capture wide areas of the sky with exceptional light-gathering power and a large corrected field.

With a 42 mm image circle and a 4.2-degree field of view, the system is built for modern imaging sensors and wide-field astronomical capture. A carbon fiber optical tube provides structural rigidity and thermal stability, while fused silica primary and secondary mirrors support consistent optical performance across changing observing conditions.

Fast Wide-Field Imaging

The 8-inch aperture and f/2.8 optical speed are designed for short exposures, high signal collection, and efficient imaging of large sky areas. At 568 mm focal length, the system offers a wide field without giving up the resolution and light-gathering capability expected from a 203.2 mm aperture.

This makes the telescope well suited for deep-sky imaging, survey work, and wide-field astronomical applications where speed, field coverage, and optical consistency matter.

Large 42 mm Image Circle

The optical system is designed around a 42 mm image circle, supporting a wide usable field for modern astronomy cameras. Across the full 42 mm field, the telescope delivers a 4.2-degree field of view, giving imagers the ability to capture extended objects, large sky regions, and wide-field targets in a single frame.

Carbon Fiber Optical Tube

The carbon fiber tube provides a lightweight, rigid structure that helps maintain optical alignment and focus stability as temperatures change. For fast optical systems, mechanical stability is critical. The tube structure is designed to support precise imaging performance while keeping the overall system compact and efficient.

Fused Silica Primary and Secondary Mirrors

Both the primary and secondary mirrors are made from fused silica, a material selected for its excellent thermal properties and dimensional stability. This helps the optical system maintain performance as environmental conditions shift, reducing the impact of thermal expansion on focus and image quality.

Backfocus Designed for Imaging Integration

The telescope provides 100 mm of backfocus from the backplate to the focal plane without filters, giving users room to integrate cameras, adapters, and imaging accessories. With the focuser fully racked in, the distance from the focuser to the focal plane is 70.79 mm.

For system integration, the distance from the primary vertex to the mounting surface on the backplate is 35 mm.