Gear Database

Celestron RASA 36

Celestron

Celestron RASA 36 is a 356 mm Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph for fast deep-sky imaging with careful collimation and tilt control.

telescope flagship
Celestron RASA 36

Best Current Offer

Astronomics logo
Astronomics
In stock
$14,999.00

Other retailers

Specifications

Optics

Optical design
Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
Aperture
356 mm
Focal length
790 mm
Focal ratio
f/2.2
Dawes limit
0.33"

Imaging

Image circle
70 mm
Camera format
Full frame / larger-format astronomy cameras
Full-frame coverage
Yes
Back focus
RASA front-cell camera spacing, model-specific adapters required
Corrected field
Large-format fast prime-focus astrograph field

Mechanical

Focuser
Ultra-Stable Focus System
Weight
34 kg / 75 lb
Dovetail
CGE / Losmandy-style dovetail

Astrophotography Fit

Best for fast deep-sky imaging with careful collimation and tilt control when the mount, camera format, and correction hardware are chosen as one system.

Celestron RASA 36 sits in the telescope slot for fast deep-sky imaging with careful collimation and tilt control. The useful headline specs are aperture 356 mm, focal length 790 mm, f/2.2.

Camera coverage: Full frame / larger-format astronomy cameras. Image circle: 70 mm. Back focus: RASA front-cell camera spacing, model-specific adapters required.

Fast astrographs collect signal quickly, but they are unforgiving: collimation, tilt, filter behavior, and back-focus spacing show up immediately in star shapes.

Weight matters here: 34 kg / 75 lb. Leave payload headroom for the camera, guider, focuser, dew control, and cables instead of judging the mount by bare tube weight alone.

Best paired with

  • Rigid focuser, tilt adjuster, and exact corrector spacing
  • Cooled cameras with a sensor inside the corrected image circle
  • High-throughput filters that behave well at fast focal ratios

Not recommended for

  • Users who do not want to tune collimation, tilt, and spacing
  • Thick or narrow filters that show strong bandpass shift at fast focal ratios
  • Loose camera adapters or focusers that cannot hold the imaging train square

Where To Buy

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Prices and availability are pulled automatically from each retailer and updated daily.

Retailer Price Availability View Offer
Astronomics logo
Astronomics
Astronomics
$14,999.00
In stock
Updated 5/15/2026
View Offer - $14,999.00
Cloud Break Optics logo
Cloud Break Optics
Cloud Break Optics
$14,999.00
In stock
Updated 5/12/2026
View Offer - $14,999.00
High Point Scientific logo
High Point Scientific
High Point Scientific
$14,999.00
In stock
Updated 5/13/2026
View Offer - $14,999.00
Telescopes.net logo
Telescopes.net
Telescopes.net
$14,999.00
Backordered
Updated 5/14/2026
View Offer - $14,999.00