An Introduction to the RC Optical Systems Ritchey - Chretien Optical Tube Assembly

 

RC Optical Systems designs and produces quality Ritchey-Chretien telescopes for the professional and amateur astronomer. Their innovative design incorporates state-of-the-art materials to assure a product with the utmost performance and quality.

The RCOS telescopes are the lightest and most thermally stable in their class, bar none! Correct composite construction allows for "focus and forget" utilization. RCOS Ritchey-Chretiens maintain precise focus all night, every night. These are just a few reasons why they continue to be the World's #1 manufacturer of Ritchey-Chretien Telescopes.

RC Optical Systems selected the Ritchey-Chretien design for its wide coma free field of view. Designed principally as a photographic instrument by American George Ritchey and Frenchman Henri Chretien, the Ritchey-Chretien design is coma free. Coma is an aberration common in all reflecting telescope systems. The Ritchey-Chretien design utilizes a hyperbolic primary and secondary mirror, which correct for coma.

Simply put, the Ritchey-Chretien has the largest aberration-free field of view, of any reflecting telescope made. Period.

The hyperbolic mirrors utilized in the Ritchey-Chretien design are very difficult to manufacture. However, given the benefits of the design, the Ritchey-Chretien has been the choice of nearly all professional observatories for the last 50 years.

Amateurs and Professionals alike are now using larger format and higher resolution CCD cameras. In addition to its originally intended use as a photographic instrument, the Ritchey-Chretien has become the ultimate CCD imaging platform.

Prepare to want one!

The full range of Truss & Closed tube assemblies are available through

Sirius Observatories UK.

For examples of the range on offer from RCOS through Sirius Observatories UK, click on the image below.

The 12.5" Truss tube OTA, soon to be installed as a demonstrator in our facility in Northamptonshire.


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