StellaLyra · 6-inch f/9 Carbon-Fibre RC
Long-focal-length imaging in a compact carbon tube.
The StellaLyra 6-inch carbon-fibre Ritchey–Chrétien pairs a 153mm aperture with a 1370mm focal length. A fixed primary mirror and separate rear focuser form the basis of a compact telescope for a carefully assembled camera rig.
Choose it for projects where you want a closer frame than a short-focal-length telescope provides, with the tube construction and accessory choices that suit your setup.
What does the carbon version change?
The carbon-fibre tube package has a published weight of 5.2kg with the supplied accessories. The equivalent metal 6-inch RC is listed at 5.61kg, while both share the same aperture and focal length.
The choice is about the tube construction and your overall equipment plan. Carbon fibre alone is not a promise of better stars or a reason to stop checking focus during a session. Keep room in the budget for the mount, camera connections and any appropriate correction optics.
RC optics for a tighter view of the sky.
The optical system uses hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors, with internal baffles to control stray light. Its coma-corrected design differs from a Newtonian.
Use a field-of-view planner with your camera and intended subjects before choosing. A smaller galaxy may benefit from closer framing, while a large nebula may need a mosaic. Sensor size determines framing, and pixel size, seeing and tracking influence how useful the resulting image scale will be.
Focus without moving the primary mirror.
The 2-inch dual-speed rotatable Crayford focuser handles focusing at the rear of the tube while the primary remains fixed. Coarse and fine controls let you approach focus and then refine it with short exposures.
Secure the camera and check the adjustment with the imaging train in place. Support cables so they cannot pull on the focuser as the telescope moves. If you want autofocus, confirm the motor, coupling and bracket fit separately.
Use the supplied extension rings to suit your camera.
Two 25mm rings and one 50mm ring are included to provide focus extension. Your camera arrangement determines which combination is needed; fitting all three is not a universal setup instruction.
If adding an RC-compatible reducer or flattener, follow its specified sensor spacing as well as checking that the telescope reaches focus. Include adapters and filter hardware in your measurements, and record the finished arrangement so it can be reassembled consistently.
Balance the equipment behind the compact tube.
The published tube length is 391mm, with a diameter of 193mm including end rings. A Vixen-style rail provides the mount connection.
Extensions, a filter wheel and a camera move weight rearwards. Fit the complete imaging train before balancing, then check saddle travel and clearance around the mount. Add guiding equipment and cables to the payload calculation rather than selecting a mount on the bare telescope weight.
Plan correction for the sensor you actually use.
Coma correction does not mean every sensor will record a perfectly flat, sharp field without additional optics. Assess any reducer or flattener for the RC design, sensor size and mechanical connections in your proposed system.
A Newtonian coma corrector is not an interchangeable solution for an RC. Send us the exact camera and accessory models so the combination can be checked before you buy adapters.
Build a reliable alignment and tracking routine.
A short tube can still be demanding at a long focal length. Choose tracking and guiding equipment for your intended image scale and exposure lengths, and inspect short test frames before starting a long run.
Check collimation using an RC-appropriate method, particularly after transport. Avoid adjusting an already well-aligned system without evidence of a problem. When investigating uneven stars, separate focus, tilt, spacing, tracking and alignment checks, changing one factor at a time.
Included equipment
| Supplied | Choose separately |
|---|---|
| Carbon-fibre RC tube, focuser and Vixen-style rail | Tracking mount and tripod or pier |
| 2-inch to 1.25-inch adapter | Camera, filter hardware and camera adapters |
| Two 25mm and one 50mm extension rings | Any RC-compatible reducer or flattener |
| Finder mounting base | Finder, guiding and power equipment |
A finder, eyepieces and diagonal are not included.
Specifications
| Optical design / aperture | Ritchey–Chrétien / 153mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length / ratio | 1370mm / nominal f/9 |
| Tube material | Carbon fibre |
| Focusing | Fixed primary; 2-inch dual-speed rotatable Crayford |
| Length / outside diameter | 391mm / 193mm including end rings |
| Weight with supplied accessories | 5.2kg |
Before ordering
Will this frame targets differently from the metal 6-inch RC?
No, with the same camera and optical accessories the shared focal length gives the same framing. Compare tube construction and the whole-system budget when choosing between them.
Does it include a reducer?
No. A reducer is an optional separate purchase. Check RC compatibility, sensor coverage, connections and spacing before adding one to the system.
Can it be used for visual observing?
Yes, with suitable eyepieces and an appropriate focus arrangement. Budget for those accessories and a mount separately. If visual use is your main priority, compare the other telescope types in the StellaLyra hub before deciding.
Availability reflects supplier stock and can change. Contact Dark Clear Skies to confirm dispatch timing if you need the telescope for a particular date.