PlaneWave 8" f/2.8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Astrograph OTA
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FSCT8: Compact Wide-Field Catadioptric System
The FSCT 8 is a compact catadioptric telescope designed for wide-field astrophotography, combining a Schmidt corrector plate with field-flattening optics near the focal plane. At f/2.8, it delivers a wide 4.24° field of view with a 42 mm full-frame sensor while weighing just 20 lb. An integrated focuser with 0.5" of travel supports a variety of imaging accessories, while SCT-style collimation provides straightforward secondary mirror alignment. A built-in corrector plate heater helps prevent dew, with an optional external dew shield available for added protection. Compact, fast, and versatile, the FSCT 8 is well suited for use on a wide range of equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.
About the FSCT8
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.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 203.2 mm (8 in)
- Focal Length: 568 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/2.8
- Central Obstruction: 60%
- Back Focus from Mounting Surface: 100 mm (3.94 in) (distance from backplate to focal plane)
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 70.79 mm (2.787 in)
- Weight: 20 lbs
- OTA Length: 267 mm (10.5 in)
- Optical Design Performance: 3.6-micron RMS on-axis, 6.0-micron RMS at 16 mm off-axis, 6.4-micron RMS at 21 mm off-axis
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Tube
- Image Circle Size: 42 mm
Lens Group
- Diameter: 88 mm (3.46 in)
- Coating: Broadband AR Coatings
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 114 mm (4.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica (Quartz)
- Shape: Spherical-Convexed
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 210 mm (8.3 in)
- Outer Diameter: 230 mm (9.1 in)
- Shape: Spherical
- Material: Fused Silica (Quartz)
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: United States
FSCT8: Compact Wide-Field Catadioptric System
The FSCT 8 is a compact catadioptric telescope designed for wide-field astrophotography, combining a Schmidt corrector plate with field-flattening optics near the focal plane. At f/2.8, it delivers a wide 4.24° field of view with a 42 mm full-frame sensor while weighing just 20 lb. An integrated focuser with 0.5" of travel supports a variety of imaging accessories, while SCT-style collimation provides straightforward secondary mirror alignment. A built-in corrector plate heater helps prevent dew, with an optional external dew shield available for added protection. Compact, fast, and versatile, the FSCT 8 is well suited for use on a wide range of equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.
About the FSCT8
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.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 203.2 mm (8 in)
- Focal Length: 568 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/2.8
- Central Obstruction: 60%
- Back Focus from Mounting Surface: 100 mm (3.94 in) (distance from backplate to focal plane)
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 70.79 mm (2.787 in)
- Weight: 20 lbs
- OTA Length: 267 mm (10.5 in)
- Optical Design Performance: 3.6-micron RMS on-axis, 6.0-micron RMS at 16 mm off-axis, 6.4-micron RMS at 21 mm off-axis
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Tube
- Image Circle Size: 42 mm
Lens Group
- Diameter: 88 mm (3.46 in)
- Coating: Broadband AR Coatings
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 114 mm (4.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica (Quartz)
- Shape: Spherical-Convexed
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 210 mm (8.3 in)
- Outer Diameter: 230 mm (9.1 in)
- Shape: Spherical
- Material: Fused Silica (Quartz)
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
| Manufacturer | PlaneWave Instruments |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | 501 - 600mm |
- 1x OTA Cover - To protect the corrector plate
- 1x Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - Heating elements around corrector plate
FSCT8: Compact Wide-Field Catadioptric System
The FSCT 8 is a compact catadioptric telescope designed for wide-field astrophotography, combining a Schmidt corrector plate with field-flattening optics near the focal plane. At f/2.8, it delivers a wide 4.24° field of view with a 42 mm full-frame sensor while weighing just 20 lb. An integrated focuser with 0.5" of travel supports a variety of imaging accessories, while SCT-style collimation provides straightforward secondary mirror alignment. A built-in corrector plate heater helps prevent dew, with an optional external dew shield available for added protection. Compact, fast, and versatile, the FSCT 8 is well suited for use on a wide range of equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.
About the FSCT8
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.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 203.2 mm (8 in)
- Focal Length: 568 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/2.8
- Central Obstruction: 60%
- Back Focus from Mounting Surface: 100 mm (3.94 in) (distance from backplate to focal plane)
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 70.79 mm (2.787 in)
- Weight: 20 lbs
- OTA Length: 267 mm (10.5 in)
- Optical Design Performance: 3.6-micron RMS on-axis, 6.0-micron RMS at 16 mm off-axis, 6.4-micron RMS at 21 mm off-axis
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Tube
- Image Circle Size: 42 mm
Lens Group
- Diameter: 88 mm (3.46 in)
- Coating: Broadband AR Coatings
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 114 mm (4.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica (Quartz)
- Shape: Spherical-Convexed
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 210 mm (8.3 in)
- Outer Diameter: 230 mm (9.1 in)
- Shape: Spherical
- Material: Fused Silica (Quartz)
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: United States
| Manufacturer | PlaneWave Instruments |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | 501 - 600mm |
- 1x OTA Cover - To protect the corrector plate
- 1x Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - Heating elements around corrector plate
PlaneWave 8" f/2.8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Astrograph OTA