StellaLyra · 8-inch f/8 Carbon-Fibre RC
Give smaller deep-sky targets more of the frame.
The StellaLyra 8-inch carbon-fibre Ritchey–Chrétien combines a 200mm aperture and 1600mm focal length in a compact optical tube. It is a platform for a dedicated camera system, with a fixed primary mirror and manual rear focusing.
Choose it when you want to move beyond wide-field framing and have a mounting, guiding and focusing plan that suits the longer focal length.
Start with the images you want to make.
A longer focal length gives a tighter field with the same camera. That can suit a smaller galaxy or compact nebula that occupies too little of a wide-field image, while larger subjects may need a mosaic.
Put your camera and several intended targets into a field-of-view planner before choosing. Compare both framing and image scale with your existing system. A larger target on the sensor is useful only when the tracking, focus and atmospheric conditions support the detail you want to record.
RC optics with a fixed primary mirror.
The Ritchey–Chrétien design uses hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors to correct coma. Internal baffles help control stray light, and the primary remains fixed during focusing.
Coma correction is not a promise of a flat, fully corrected field across every camera sensor. Choose any reducer or flattener for the RC design and your camera, rather than carrying a Newtonian coma corrector over from a different telescope.
Carbon construction in a compact tube.
The published tube dimensions are 457mm long and 229mm in diameter, with a weight of 7.48kg including the supplied accessories. Upper and lower mounting rails provide attachment points.
Check the supplied rail format against your mount saddle before ordering. Add the camera, filters, guiding equipment and cables to your payload calculation, then assess the complete assembly for both balance and tracking performance.
Leave room for the equipment behind the telescope.
The optical tube is only part of the assembled length. Extension rings, camera adapters and filter hardware add equipment behind the rear cell, shifting the balance and reducing clearance around the mount.
Balance with the actual imaging train fitted. Check saddle travel and movement near the tripod or pier, and route cables so they remain supported without restricting the mount. Carbon-fibre construction does not remove the need to recheck focus as conditions change.
Coarse and fine control at the rear focuser.
A 2-inch dual-speed manual focuser provides the focus adjustment, with a 1.25-inch adapter supplied. Approach focus with short exposures, then refine it using a repeatable focus measurement.
Support the camera while securing the connections and check the assembled load at different telescope orientations. If matching an autofocus motor, bracket or threaded adapter, ask us to confirm the current focuser revision and connections before ordering those accessories.
Set extension length and optical spacing separately.
Two 25mm and one 50mm extension rings are included to position the focuser for different equipment arrangements. Use the combination your camera setup needs; all three are not automatically required.
A reducer or flattener has its own specified distance to the sensor. Account for the camera’s sensor recess, adapters and any filter equipment, then check that the complete system reaches focus. Record the arrangement so you can reassemble it accurately after removing the camera.
Plan a first session around checking the system.
Choose a tracking and guiding arrangement suited to 1600mm imaging, and allow time for the telescope to settle towards outdoor conditions. Check collimation with a method appropriate to an RC.
Start with short star-field exposures and inspect the centre and corners before committing to a long sequence. If the result is uneven, separate focus, tilt, alignment, spacing and tracking checks. Change one thing at a time and avoid adjusting an already well-aligned system without evidence of a problem.
Included and purchased separately
| Supplied with the telescope | Choose separately |
|---|---|
| Carbon-fibre RC tube with rear focuser | Tracking mount and tripod or pier |
| Upper and lower mounting rails | Camera, filter hardware and camera adapters |
| 2-inch to 1.25-inch adapter | Any RC-compatible reducer or flattener |
| Two 25mm and one 50mm extension rings | Finder, guiding equipment and power |
| Finder base and front dust cover | Eyepieces and diagonal for visual use |
Specifications
| Design / aperture | Ritchey–Chrétien / 200mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length / ratio | 1600mm / f/8 |
| Tube construction | Carbon fibre |
| Focusing | Fixed primary; 2-inch dual-speed manual focuser |
| Tube length / diameter | 457mm / 229mm |
| Weight with included accessories | 7.48kg |
Before choosing the 8-inch RC
Is this supplied with a finder or camera?
No. The finder base is provided, but the finder and camera are separate purchases. Tell us what equipment you already own so the remaining components can be identified.
Does a 2-inch focuser guarantee full-frame coverage?
No. Camera coverage and star quality depend on the complete optical and mechanical arrangement. Check the sensor size, correction optics, connections and clear apertures together.
What should I compare with the 6-inch carbon RC?
Compare target framing with your camera, the total mounting load and the cost of the complete system. A smaller setup that tracks and focuses reliably can be a better fit than a larger tube that stretches the rest of the rig.
Availability reflects supplier stock and can change. Contact Dark Clear Skies to confirm dispatch timing if you need the telescope for a particular date.