Celestron RASA 8
Celestron
Celestron RASA 8 is a 203 mm Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph for fast deep-sky imaging with careful collimation and tilt control.
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Specifications
Optics
- Optical design
- Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
- Aperture
- 203 mm
- Focal length
- 400 mm
- Focal ratio
- f/2
- Dawes limit
- 0.57"
Imaging
- Image circle
- 22 mm
- Camera format
- Small-format astro cameras; DSLR/mirrorless bodies not recommended
- Full-frame coverage
- No
- Back focus
- 25 mm with included camera adapter; 29 mm from threaded collar
- Corrected field
- 22 mm optimized image circle; 32 mm usable field
Mechanical
- Focuser
- Ultra-Stable Focus System
- Weight
- 7.7 kg / 17 lb
- Tube length
- 628 mm
- 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 8 sits in the telescope slot for fast deep-sky imaging with careful collimation and tilt control. The useful headline specs are aperture 203 mm, focal length 400 mm, f/2.
Camera coverage: Small-format astro cameras; DSLR/mirrorless bodies not recommended. Image circle: 22 mm. Back focus: 25 mm with included camera adapter; 29 mm from threaded collar.
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: 7.7 kg / 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agena AstroProducts Agena AstroProducts | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/4/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| Astronomics Astronomics | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/4/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| Cloud Break Optics Cloud Break Optics | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/3/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| High Point Scientific High Point Scientific | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/4/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| Starizona Starizona | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/4/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| Telescopes.net Telescopes.net | $2,199.00 | In stock Updated 11/3/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
| Mile High Astronomy Mile High Astronomy | $2,199.00 | Out of stock Updated 11/4/2026 | View Offer - $2,199.00 |
Price History
Chronological retailer pricing with out-of-stock points shown at reduced opacity.