StellaLyra · 8-inch f/4 Carbon Imaging Newtonian
Give your next deep-sky project a closer frame.
The StellaLyra 8-inch M-LRN-D combines a 203mm parabolic mirror with an 800mm focal length in a carbon-fibre tube. It is an imaging platform for someone ready to match their camera, mount and accessories to a larger Newtonian.
Build around it when you want a tighter field than a short-focal-length setup provides, with the control to tune the complete system yourself.
Why choose the 8-inch?
With the same camera, moving from 600mm to 800mm gives a closer framing of your target. That can suit projects where a shorter telescope leaves the object small within a wide field.
The trade-off is a larger working system and greater demands on tracking. Choose this model because the focal length, handling and mount requirements suit your plans, rather than assuming more aperture is automatically the right next step.
A carbon-fibre tube built around imaging.
The internally blackened, baffled tube carries a 2-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser. Its coarse and fine controls let you approach focus and then refine it using test exposures.
Keep a repeatable focusing routine. Inspect star size after the telescope settles and recheck as conditions change. Carbon fibre does not remove every source of focus movement in the complete optical and mechanical system.
Mount the complete rig, not just the tube.
The lower rail is Losmandy-style, with a Vixen-style rail on top. Confirm the lower rail fits your mount saddle before ordering.
The published tube weight is 7.5kg. Add your camera, corrector, filters, guiding equipment and cabling when assessing the payload. Balance with the actual imaging train installed, and check that the side-mounted camera can clear the mount and tripod throughout the planned movement.
Plan the camera and corrector together.
A compatible coma corrector is required for optimum imaging results. Set its sensor spacing to the corrector manufacturer’s requirement, then check that the assembled system can reach focus. These are separate measurements.
List every component between the focuser and sensor, including adapters and filter hardware. Secure cables without letting them pull on the camera, and avoid assuming that any accessory with a 2-inch barrel will work in every combination.
Illumination and sharp stars are different questions.
The supplier specifies an illuminated field of 25mm at 100% and 38mm at 90%. Those figures describe illumination, not a guarantee of corrected stars across every camera sensor.
Check your chosen corrector’s supported sensor size and connections separately. Use flat-field calibration to address uneven illumination and dust shadows; flats will not fix poor focus, tracking errors or misshapen stars.
Check alignment before collecting a night’s data.
The rear mirror-cell controls allow collimation adjustment. Use an appropriate tool to check mirror alignment, particularly after transporting the telescope.
Begin a session with a short star-field exposure. Compare the centre and corners before committing to a long sequence. If something is uneven, work through focus, alignment, tilt and spacing methodically, changing one factor at a time.
Included with the optical tube
| Included | Required separately for imaging |
|---|---|
| Carbon-fibre tube and fitted focuser | Tracking mount and stable tripod or pier |
| Tube rings and lower Losmandy-style rail | Camera and compatible coma corrector |
| Upper Vixen-style rail | Adapters, spacing and any filter hardware |
Also plan for a collimation tool, power and control equipment, plus guiding as required by your mount and exposure plans. Eyepieces are not included.
Specifications for planning the system
| Optical design | Parabolic Newtonian reflector |
|---|---|
| Aperture / focal length | 203mm / 800mm |
| Focal ratio | Nominal f/4 |
| Focuser | 2-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion |
| Tube material | Carbon fibre |
| Length / diameter | 730mm / 230mm |
| Published tube weight | 7.5kg |
| Mount connection | Losmandy-style lower rail |
Before choosing the 8-inch
Should I choose this or the 6-inch carbon model?
The 8-inch gives a tighter field with the same camera, but asks more of the mount and is larger to transport. Compare target framing, your complete payload and available storage before choosing. A well-matched smaller system can be more useful than a larger one that strains the mount.
Will my existing camera work?
Check its sensor size, connection and focus requirements with the proposed corrector. Send us your camera model and any filter wheel or drawer so we can help assess the complete imaging train.
Is an automatic focuser included?
No. The fitted focuser has manual coarse and fine controls. Check the motor, bracket and coupling compatibility separately if you want to add autofocus.
Does it include tracking or image capture?
No. This is the optical tube and mounting hardware for a separately assembled imaging system. Tracking, capture and control depend on the mount, camera and software you select.
This model is currently awaiting stock. Contact Dark Clear Skies for an availability update before planning an order around a particular date.