The Sharpstar SCA260 is an aspherical Cassegrain with a short focal ratio. The fact that the primary mirror is aspherical means that it has a high grinding difficulty for production and its testing requirements can be more complex than some traditional primary mirror types.
The primary and secondary mirrors are all made with enhanced aluminum coating and the reflectivity is guaranteed to be above 95%. The secondary mirror has a unique lever adjustment function that can be moved in a horizontal position. The 3-inch dedicated focuser ensures smooth operation without slipping when using accessories for astrophototgraphy.
The optical path includes a triplet 3″ field flattener to support full-frame photography and vignetting control. The two M54×0.75 threads and M48×0.75 threads at the rear of the focuser are convenient for connect to most commercially available imaging accessories.
The Sharpstar SCA260 offers a carbon fiber tube which is lightweight and durable. It features CNC aluminum parts and a novel hollow handles can be connected to different accessories.
The Sharpstar SCA260 specifications include:
– Primary mirror aperture: 260mm
– Focal length/focal ratio: 1300mm/f5
– Primary mirror type: aspherical reflector
– Primary mirror material: PZ33 low expansion borosilicate glass
– Corrector rear group combination: quadruplet air-spaced
– Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120mm
– Secondary mirror type: spherical
– Image circle range: 80mm
– Tube material: carbon fiber
– Outer diameter of tube: 280.5mm
– Tube length: 712mm
– Tube weight: 15kg
– Resolution: 0.46
– Focuser: 3.2 inch
– Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
– Back focus: 75mm (calculated from the end of M54 thread)
You can learn more here.
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