Celestron 11" RASA Telescope OTA with Ultra Stable Focus System - V2

Celestron 11" RASA Telescope OTA with Ultra Stable Focus System - V2

Capturing breathtaking deep-sky astrophotos is now simpler than ever with Celestron’s Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) V2, an ideal match for modern DSLR and astronomical CCD cameras. This fast, wide-field f/2.2 optical system enables significantly shorter exposure times than traditional f/10 setups, all while maintaining exceptional resolution. With these shorter sub-exposures, your equatorial mount doesn’t need to sustain precise tracking for long durations, and the short focal length further reduces tracking accuracy requirements. In many setups, autoguiding may not even be necessary.

The RASA 11 V2 continues the tradition of Celestron’s classic Schmidt Cameras from the 1970s, which allowed astrophotographers to achieve impressive results using much shorter exposure times on film.

Now, with CCD and CMOS sensors that equal or surpass the size of traditional film, the RASA 11 V2 provides an optimized 43.3mm image circle to deliver sharp, pinpoint stars across even the largest imaging chips. Its optical performance remains outstanding on sensors with diagonals up to 52mm wide.

When you combine this large image circle with a 620mm focal length, you get a telescope perfectly suited for wide-field astrophotography, night sky mosaics, astronomical surveys, and comet tracking – making the RASA 11 V2 a truly versatile deep-sky imaging powerhouse.

Optical Performance

The RASA 11 V2’s 4-element rare-earth glass optics ensure true-to-color images free from coma, field curvature, and chromatic aberration. The result is crisp, distortion-free imaging with minimal vignetting, making it one of the most optically precise astrographs available-even compared to higher-priced models.

Advanced Features

The RASA 11 V2 is equipped with the advanced Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS), designed to ensure exceptional image stability. At its core is a precision linear ball bearing, which significantly reduces focus shift – the minor lateral movement of the primary mirror that can cause image displacement during focusing – and mirror flop, the unwanted movement of the mirror as the telescope’s orientation changes. The USFS is also fully compatible with the optional Celestron Focus Motor (#94155-A), allowing precise electronic control. Additionally, an integrated 12V DC MagLev fan speeds up cooldown and maintains optimal air circulation through the dust-filtered optical tube, ensuring consistent performance.

Optimized for Seamless Astroimaging
Every detail of the RASA 11 V2 has been meticulously engineered to perform as a complete astroimaging system. From the fully multi-coated optical window to the optional imaging filters, each component – right down to the glass thickness – has been carefully calibrated for perfect optical alignment and peak image quality. The dual CGE dovetail bars on the optical tube’s top provide a sturdy mounting point for optional accessories, such as a guidescope, enhancing versatility and precision for all imaging applications.

REVIEW of Celestron 11" RASA Telescope OTA with Ultra Stable Focus System - V2 👇