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TrueRC™ Design
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The RC10 and RC10C are true Ritchey-Chrétiens.
They are not cheaper designs modified to work better.
The RC design has inherent advantages over other Cassegrain designs.
While others like to claim "RC" like performance, the TrueRC™ series astrographs have RC performance.
That's because they really are Ritcheys!
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Optics by Star Instruments
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Star Instruments optics are legendary.
Paul Jones has been making RC optics for over 30 years.
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Six-Point Mirror Cell
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A six-point flotation cell is used to support the primary mirror eliminating astigmatism that may otherwise be induced due to poor support.
Collimation is pre-set at the factory but may be adjusted as required using three traditional push/pull locking adjustment screw sets.
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Electronic Secondary Focuser
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The RC10 incorporates a precision, zero image shift electronic secondary focuser.
This allows your optical train to be firmly secured to the OTA.
It also means that the focuser is not required to support the weight of your camera, filter wheel, adaptive optics, off-axis guider or other instrumentation.
The focuser uses a standard 12VDC uni-polar stepper motor that is compatible with the RoboFocus motor standard.
This means you can use any RoboFocus compatible controller and ASCOM drivers for focusing through applications like MaxIm DL and FocusMax.
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Secondary Dew Heater
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A secondary dew heater is incorporated for those nights where the dew point can create condensation.
On/off may be manually or PC controlled.
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Cooling Fans
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Three rear mounted cooling fans provide fast cooldown and constant thermal equilibration.
Like the secondary dew heater, on/off may be manually or PC controlled.
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Phenolic Tube
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High-performance phenolic tubes are used in the RC10 and RC10C astrographs.
Phenolic tubes are strong, durable, light-weight and weather resistant.
They also minimize thermal expansion and the need for continuous focus adjustments.
And they look great too.
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Stainless and Aluminum
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Stainless steel and aluminum are used throughout the design for light weight and corrosion resistance.
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Design
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All of our scopes are designed in SolidWorks and modeled/optimized in COSMOS to improve quality and manufacturability.
Many features are computer generated for optimal performance.
All of our optics are designed and modeled in ZEMAX.
Our corrector designs are optimized and toleranced to provide the smallest possible spot sizes.
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AP 2.7" Optical Interface
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The large Astro Physics 2.7" standard opening eliminates vignetting and provides for a solid, no flex imaging train.
Extenders, adapters and other accessories are readily available from Astro Physics and other manufacturers.
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Overall Value
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The TrueRC™ series astrographs were designed to be an exceptional value.
They are purpose-built to provide the performance and features that really count when your goal is the best astro-images possible.
You can buy more expensive equipment, but why would you want to?
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| System | True Ritchey-Chrétien |
| Primary Mirror Size | 10" |
| Secondary Mirror Size | 5" |
| Performance | Diffraction limited |
| Mirrors | Hyperbolic, enhanced coatings, Pyrex substrates |
| Corrector | Two element field corrector/flattener, fully multi-coated all surfaces |
| F/Ratio | f/7.3 |
| Focal Length | 73" (1854mm) nominal |
| Back Focus - RC10 | 9" primary front surface to focus
6.35" from back of OTA |
| Back Focus - RC10C | 8.65" primary front surface to focus
6" from back of OTA |
| Corrected Imaging Circle | > 2.0" (52mm), 1.6 degrees |
| Focuser | Electronic secondary focuser, computer/manual control, ASCOM compliant |
| Interface | Standard Astro Physics 2.7" 24 tpi, female |
| Length | 33" nominal |
| Diameter | 12" nominal, requires 11.75" mounting rings |
| Weight | 30 lbs nominal |
