Sharpstar SCA260 v2 f/5 Aspherical Cassegrain with Integrated Field Flattener
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- This item is out of stock.
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- This item is out of stock.
- Sign up for back-in-stock alerts to be notified when this item becomes available (account login required).
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Important notes - please read before purchase:
1. Most of these units have several fine sleeks/thin scratches on the tube surface if viewed at the correct angles. The manufacturer informs us that this is a characteristic of the finish and not a defect. See the product photos above for some sample images.
2. The focuser on this scope works perfectly but is a bit noisy. Again, Sharpstar assures that this is not a problem and we have found the focusers to be consistent across our stock.
- Large 1,300 mm focal length and fast f/5 ratio to capture your favorite deep space targets.
- 80 mm circle with integrated flattener to ensure well corrected images edge-to-edge.
- 3-inch dual-spreed focuser can support bulky accessories and imaging trains.
- M54x0.75 and M48x0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
- Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%.
- 2-inch round mounted filters can be with the included M48x0.75 threads.
Sharpstar SCA260 Astrograph for Serious Astrophotographers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers, delivering superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260 mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80 mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300 mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The SCA260 is made from durable carbon fiber to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3-inch corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately). The 3-inch dedicated dual-speed focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54x0.75 and M48x0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video
See the SCA260v2 in Action
Eastern Veil Nebula - NGC 6992
Captured by: Sharpstar
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
Trifid Nebula - M20
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
M78 - NGC 2068
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 2600MM Pro
Mechanical Diagrams
Specifications
- Aperture: 260 mm
- Focal length: 1300 mm
- focal ratio: f/5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Filter thread: M48x0.75 (2 in round mounted)
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120 mm (4.7 in)
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150 mm (5.9 in)
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80 mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5 mm (11.04 in)
- OD of front ring: 322 mm (12.67in)
- Tube length: 712 mm (28.03in)
- Tube weight: 14.5 kg (32 lb) with both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 in
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm - 2.7 in (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50 mm (1.97 in)
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Temperature display requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included)
Additional Info
Important note about v2 and v2.1 of this scope:
- Now includes a pair of handles at the rear of the tube for easier handling, an upgraded focuser/rotator, and a free 1.25" Cheshire collimating eyepiece.
- Sharpstar happened to release 2 variants of version 2 of this scope initially at the same time. They called them both version 2, but to differentiate between the two, we resorted to calling them v2 and v2.1, even though one wasn't newer than the other.
- V2: The rotator sat after the focuser (as pictured above)
- V2.1: The rotator sat between the telescope backplate and the focuser
- Subsequently, Sharpstar stopped making the v2.1 variant, and v2 is the only one being offered going forward. This is the current/latest version.
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
Sharpstar SCA260 Astrograph for Serious Astrophotographers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers, delivering superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260 mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80 mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300 mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The SCA260 is made from durable carbon fiber to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3-inch corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately). The 3-inch dedicated dual-speed focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54x0.75 and M48x0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video
See the SCA260v2 in Action
Eastern Veil Nebula - NGC 6992
Captured by: Sharpstar
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
Trifid Nebula - M20
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
M78 - NGC 2068
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 2600MM Pro
Mechanical Diagrams
Specifications
- Aperture: 260 mm
- Focal length: 1300 mm
- focal ratio: f/5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Filter thread: M48x0.75 (2 in round mounted)
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120 mm (4.7 in)
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150 mm (5.9 in)
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80 mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5 mm (11.04 in)
- OD of front ring: 322 mm (12.67in)
- Tube length: 712 mm (28.03in)
- Tube weight: 14.5 kg (32 lb) with both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 in
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm - 2.7 in (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50 mm (1.97 in)
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Temperature display requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included)
| Manufacturer | Sharpstar |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | 1251 - 1500mm |
Important notes - please read before purchase:
1. Most of these units have several fine sleeks/thin scratches on the tube surface if viewed at the correct angles. The manufacturer informs us that this is a characteristic of the finish and not a defect. See the product photos above for some sample images.
2. The focuser on this scope works perfectly but is a bit noisy. Again, Sharpstar assures that this is not a problem and we have found the focusers to be consistent across our stock.
- Large 1,300 mm focal length and fast f/5 ratio to capture your favorite deep space targets.
- 80 mm circle with integrated flattener to ensure well corrected images edge-to-edge.
- 3-inch dual-spreed focuser can support bulky accessories and imaging trains.
- M54x0.75 and M48x0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
- Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%.
- 2-inch round mounted filters can be with the included M48x0.75 threads.
Sharpstar SCA260 Astrograph for Serious Astrophotographers
The Sharpstar SCA260 is a fast focal ratio Cassegrain astrograph for serious astrophotographers, delivering superb images at an affordable price. With an aspherical f/5 primary mirror of 260 mm aperture, the SCA260 includes an integrated three-element air-spaced corrector that produces a huge 80 mm image circle. With a full-frame camera, the 1300 mm focal length of the SCA260 delivers a big 1.5o x 1.0o field of view that’s flat and well corrected right to the edge.
The SCA260 is made from durable carbon fiber to keep the overall weight low and to enhance thermal performance. Both the primary and secondary mirrors feature enhanced aluminum coatings to ensure a high reflectivity of more than 95%. The 3-inch corrector features a three-element lens structure that enables the entire optical system to better achieve full-frame imaging and control vignetting. Cooling fans are included to rapidly stabilize the temperature of the optics and minimize tube currents (power supply for the fans is sold separately). The 3-inch dedicated dual-speed focuser with heavy-duty design can be smoothly adjusted. The scope includes mounting rings, Losmandy-style mounting plate, and carrying handle/accessory plate all made from CNC-manufactured aluminum. The two-section thread design of the focuser incorporates M54x0.75 and M48x0.75 male threads to interface with most popular astronomy cameras.
Agena Astro affiliate Dark Rangers Inc recently created this Sharpstar SCA260 review video
See the SCA260v2 in Action
Eastern Veil Nebula - NGC 6992
Captured by: Sharpstar
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
Trifid Nebula - M20
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 6200MM Pro
M78 - NGC 2068
Captured by: Drew Evans
Gear used: Sharpstar SCA260 and ZWO 2600MM Pro
Mechanical Diagrams
Specifications
- Aperture: 260 mm
- Focal length: 1300 mm
- focal ratio: f/5
- Primary mirror type: Aspherical reflective mirror
- Filter thread: M48x0.75 (2 in round mounted)
- Primary mirror material: PZ33 (same as pyrex glass)
- Corrector rear group combination: Three element air-spaced lens structure
- Minor axis diameter of the secondary mirror: 120 mm (4.7 in)
- Secondary mirror holder diameter: 150 mm (5.9 in)
- Secondary mirror type: Spherical
- Image circle: 80 mm
- Tube material: Carbon fiber
- Outer diameter of tube: 280.5 mm (11.04 in)
- OD of front ring: 322 mm (12.67in)
- Tube length: 712 mm (28.03in)
- Tube weight: 14.5 kg (32 lb) with both dovetails
- Resolution: 0.46"
- Focuser: 3.35 in
- Visual limiting magnitude: 13.8
- Available back focus: 70mm - 2.7 in (calculated from the base of the M48 male thread)
- Focuser travel: 50 mm (1.97 in)
- Cooling fans: 3 integrated units. Requires external 12V DC power supply (not included)
- Losmandy D-rail on the bottom / flat plate mounted atop the tube for attachement of guidescopes or other accessories
- Temperature display requires 2x LR44 batteries (not included)
Additional Info
Important note about v2 and v2.1 of this scope:
- Now includes a pair of handles at the rear of the tube for easier handling, an upgraded focuser/rotator, and a free 1.25" Cheshire collimating eyepiece.
- Sharpstar happened to release 2 variants of version 2 of this scope initially at the same time. They called them both version 2, but to differentiate between the two, we resorted to calling them v2 and v2.1, even though one wasn't newer than the other.
- V2: The rotator sat after the focuser (as pictured above)
- V2.1: The rotator sat between the telescope backplate and the focuser
- Subsequently, Sharpstar stopped making the v2.1 variant, and v2 is the only one being offered going forward. This is the current/latest version.
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
| Manufacturer | Sharpstar |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | 1251 - 1500mm |