The FSCT 8" is a compact catadioptric optical system built with a Schmidt corrector plate and field-flattening lenses at the focal plane. 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.
The 8-inch aperture in combination with the high speed of f/2.8 enables short exposure times, efficient signal yield, and the capture of large areas of the sky. With a focal length of 568 mm, the system offers a wide field of view without sacrificing the resolution and light-gathering power expected from an aperture of 203.2 mm.
This makes the telescope excellently suited for deep-sky imaging, sky surveys, and other astronomical applications where speed, field size, and consistent optical performance are decisive.
The optical system was designed for an image circle of 42 mm and therefore supports modern astronomy cameras with large sensor formats. Across the entire image field, the telescope delivers a field of view of 4.2°, allowing extended nebulae, large sky regions, and other wide-field objects to be captured in a single exposure.
The carbon fiber tube offers a lightweight yet extremely stable construction that helps reliably maintain collimation and focus even during temperature fluctuations. Especially with fast optical systems, mechanical stability is of decisive importance. The tube construction supports precise imaging performance while at the same time enabling a compact and efficient design.
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.
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.
• At f/2.8 the FSCT delivers over a 4 deg field of view (FOV) with a full frame 42mm sensor
• 568 mm focal length
• Integrated focuser with 12.7 mm (0.5″) travel to allow wide variety of imaging accessories
• 100 mm (3.94″) backfocus from the mounting surface
• 70.79 mm (2.787″) backfocus from the fully retracted focuser
• Simple SCT style collimation with tip-tilt alignment of the secondary mirror
• Corrector plate heater integrated into front cell to prevent moisture from forming on the corrector plate. For added protection, we offer the optional external Dew Shield that extends from the front of the telescope
• Weight of only 9.1 kg (20 lbs)
• Suitable for most equatorial (EQ) and alt-azimuth (Alt-Az) mounts
• *Price excludes shipping and crating/b packaging
Further downloads and always the latest information can be found, if necessary, directly on the manufacturer's page Planewave.com.
We do not guarantee that the information listed here is up-to-date and correct.
