For all you serious astrophotographers...

[umbra]

Orion just released their own R/C scopes on their site:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=new_orion_products/~pcategory=new_orion_products/~product_id=08958?id=041609rc2

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=new_orion_products/~pcategory=new_orion_products/~product_id=08956?id=041609rc2

I'm guessing theyre probably the same scopes made by GSO and the same as the Astro-Tech ones at Astronomics (which I had preordered an 8" through). The scopes from Orion cost less though (minus their insane shipping charges). I do like the Astro-Tech 8 though since the tube is made from carbon fiber...

http://www.astronomics.com/main/prod...oduct_id/AT6RC

http://www.astronomics.com/main/prod...oduct_id/AT8RC

Just an FYI in case anyone is wondering, a R/C scope is a Ritchey-Chretien design. Its the same design that the Hubble Space Telescope uses and I think the same design the Spitzer uses.

[Nighthound]

Definitely interesting OTAs. The RC design is a standard with the pro imagers but I personally would not prefer to be shooting deep sky at f/8 or f/9. I have no doubt the optics are very nice but I couldn't find too much info on the optional reducer/flattener(shouldn't need flattening) the AT/Astronomics link mentions. In the Astro-Tech write up the guy says “Its fast focal ratio" ?? I'm not knocking either scope, I wouldn't mind working with them, but even f/8 is approaching SCT slow. Now, if I had a TAK, AP or Software Bisque(Paramount ME) mount I wouldn't give the focal ratio a thought. The price point on these is great, very affordable. I don't think I'd give up my R200SS(f/4)/MPCC for one but they are attractive. I'd choose the 8" AT as well. Thanks for the links.

[mbscad]

Was that the same Hubble Telescope that had to be fitted with eye-glasses in order to see clearly?