Celestron Advanced VX RASA 6"

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152mm (5.98") Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph Ultra-fast f/2.2 focal ratio with 335mm focal length Advanced VX computerized German equatorial mount with 30 lb load capacity 8.4 l b optical tube weight leaves ample capacity for cameras and accessories 22mm usable image circle provides a wide 3.76° field of view Total system weight of 55.4 lbs for true portability Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads Warranty Celestron Advanced VX 6" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) Telescope The Celestron Advanced VX 6" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) Telescope combines a 152mm aperture with a blazing-fast f/2.2 optical system to dramatically reduce exposure times, all supported by the proven Advanced VX mount with its 30 lb instrument capacity. This complete imaging package weighs just 55.4 lbs, delivering high-resolution, wide-field images of faint deep-sky objects in a portable, grab-and-go design. The 335mm focal length captures a vast 3.76° field of view, making it an ideal instrument for capturing large nebulae and star clusters in a single frame. The 152mm f/2.2 RASA: 0.76 Arc Second Resolution at Unprecedented Speed At the heart of this system is the patented RASA optical design, delivering a perfectly flat field with spot sizes smaller than 1.5 μm RMS across the image circle. This professional-grade performance resolves details down to 0.76 arc seconds (Dawes limit) and gathers 472 times more light than the human eye, enabling you to capture faint details with significantly shorter sub-exposures. The speed of the f/2.2 system lessens the demand for perfect tracking, often eliminating the need for an autoguider entirely. The optical path, featuring a Schmidt corrector, primary mirror, and a specialized three-element lens group, is fully treated with StarBright XLT coatings. This ensures maximum light transmission across the 400-700nm wavelength range for bright, high-contrast images. While the design incorporates a 46% central obstruction to achieve its speed, it provides superior field illumination—91% at 8mm off-axis—compared to a standard SCT with a Fastar/HyperStar configuration. Engineered for Imaging: 12V Cooling and an Integrated 2" Filter System The 6" RASA is built with practical features for modern astrophotography. A 12V DC MagLev cooling fan actively brings the optics to ambient temperature for the sharpest possible images, while integrated vents keep the interior dust-free. The system includes an M42 T-thread camera adapter, providing the standard 17.5mm of back focus required by many popular CMOS and CCD astronomy cameras. An integrated filter drawer simplifies your imaging workflow, accepting both 2" and 1.25" filters without compromising optical performance. A removable 2" clear filter is included, allowing you to insert light pollution or narrowband filters into the light path without introducing extra glass that could affect the f/2.2 system's precise focus. Advanced VX Mount: A 30 lb Capacity Platform for Stable Tracking The Advanced VX mount provides a rigid and reliable foundation for the RASA. With a 30 lb payload capacity, it easily handles the 8.4 lb optical tube plus cameras, filter wheels, and other accessories. The mount head itself weighs only 17 lbs, and the robust tripod with 2" stainless steel legs ensures stability while observing. Driven by DC servo motors, the mount features Permanently Programmable Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to improve tracking accuracy for longer exposures. Celestron's All-Star Polar Alignment procedure allows you to achieve a precise polar alignment using any bright star, even if you can't see Polaris, getting you imaging faster. 40,000+ Objects at Your Fingertips: NexStar+ and CPWI Control Navigate the night sky using the included NexStar+ hand control, which gives you access to a database of over 40,000 celestial objects. For more advanced control, the system includes Celestron's PWI (CPWI) Telescope Control Software. Co-developed with PlaneWave Instruments, CPWI offers a graphical planetarium interface and PointXP mount modeling, allowing you to add more than 100 alignment points for unmatched pointing accuracy. The mount features an autoguide port and a USB port on the hand control for direct connection to a PC. Through its ASCOM-compliant drivers, the Advanced VX mount can be controlled by a wide range of third-party astrophotography software, integrating seamlessly into your existing setup. 6" RASA vs. Fastar Systems and Small Refractors: A Clear Advantage When compared to other portable imaging systems, the 6" RASA provides a distinct edge. Its dedicated optical design offers better field illumination and correction than a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope converted to a Fastar/HyperStar configuration. Against similarly priced apochromatic refractors, the RASA's 152mm aperture gathers significantly more light, allowing you to capture fainter targets in far less time and with higher native resolution. What kind of camera is best for the Advanced VX 6" RASA? The 6" RASA is designed for smaller-chip color CMOS or CCD cameras. It has a usable field of 22mm and a standard back focus of 17.5mm. Cameras with a standard M42 T-thread and a sensor-to-flange distance compatible with this back focus will work best. Many popular one-shot-color astronomy cameras are excellent matches. Can the Advanced VX 6" RASA capture the full Andromeda Galaxy (M31)? Yes. The Andromeda Galaxy is approximately 3 degrees wide. The 6" RASA provides a usable field of 3.76 degrees, making it perfectly suited to frame the entire galaxy, from its bright core to its faint outer arms, in a single shot. Do I need an autoguider with the Advanced VX 6" RASA system? For many targets, no. The ultra-fast f/2.2 focal ratio allows for very short sub-exposures (often 30-60 seconds) that are sharp enough without guiding. For very long total integration times or targets requiring perfect, round stars, an autoguider can still be beneficial, and the Advanced VX mount includes a standard autoguide port. How well does the Advanced VX mount handle the 6" RASA OTA? Extremely well. The RASA optical tube weighs only 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg). With the Advanced VX mount's 30 lb (13.6 kg) instrument capacity, there is a massive amount of headroom for cameras, filter drawers, dew heaters, and other accessories without compromising stability or tracking performance. Is the Advanced VX 6" RASA good for imaging faint targets like the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33)? Absolutely. This is what the system is designed for. The f/2.2 speed gathers light from faint emission nebulae very quickly. The integrated filter drawer allows you to easily use a dual-band or H-alpha filter to isolate the nebula's signal from city light pollution, making it an excellent choice for backyard imagers. How portable is the complete Advanced VX 6" RASA telescope kit? The system is designed for portability. The total kit weight is 55.4 lbs (25.13 kg), and it breaks down into manageable components: the mount head (17 lbs), tripod (18 lbs), OTA (8.4 lbs), and a single 12 lb counterweight. This makes it easy to transport to a dark sky site for a weekend of imaging. Optical Tube Specifications Optical Design Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph Aperture 152mm (5.98") Focal Length 335mm (13.18") Focal Ratio f/2.2 Central Obstruction Diameter 77mm (3.03") (46% of aperture) Light Gathering Power 472x (Compared to human eye) Resolution (Rayleigh) 0.91 arc seconds Resolution (Dawes) 0.76 arc seconds Image Circle 16mm (0.63") Ø, 2.74° Useable Field 22mm (0.86") Ø, 3.76° Wavelength Range 400 - 700 nm Spot Size < 1.5 μm RMS across image circle Optical Coatings StarBright XLT Off-axis Illumination 91% at 8mm (0.31") off-axis Back Focus 17.5mm (0.69") with included adapter Camera Mounting Threads M42 Focuser Standard Schmidt-Cassegrain focuser Optical Tube Material Aluminum Optical Tube Length 609.6mm (24") Optical Tube Diameter 177.8mm (7") Optical Tube Weight 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) Cooling System 12V DC MagLev fan Filter Mount Integrated filter drawer for 2" & 1.25" filters Dovetail CG-5 Dovetail Bar Mount Specifications Mount Type Computerized German Equatorial Instrument Load Capacity 30 lbs (13.6 kg) Mount Head Weight 17 lbs (7.71 kg) Tripod Weight 18 lbs (8.16 kg) Tripod Leg Diameter 50.8mm (2") Stainless Steel Counterweights 1 x 12 lbs Latitude Adjustment Range 7° - 77° Motor Drive DC servo motors Slew Speeds 9 speeds, max 4°/second Tracking Rates Sidereal, Solar, Lunar Tracking Modes EQ North & EQ South Dovetail Compatibility Dual saddle (CG-5 and CGE) Alignment Procedures 2-Star, 1-Star, Solar System, Last, Quick Align Periodic Error Correction Yes, permanently programmable Hand Control NexStar+, USB input Database 40,000+ objects Ports 1x Hand Control, 2x AUX, 1x Autoguide Power Requirements 12V DC, 3.5A (tip positive) General Specifications Total Kit Weight 55.4 lbs (25.13 kg) Software Included Celestron Starry Night Special Edition, CPWI, SkyPortal App 6" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph OTA × 1 Advanced VX Equatorial Mount × 1 Tripod with Accessory Tray × 1 12 lb Counterweight × 1 NexStar+ Hand Control × 1 42mm T-thread camera adapter × 1 Filter Drawer with 2" Clear Filter × 1 Fan Battery Pack × 1 Download Celestron Advanced VX Mount Manual Download Celestron NexStar+ Hand Controller Manual Download Celestron RASA Optics Whitepaper Download Celestron Software (CPWI, Starry Night) Celestron 2-Year Telescope Warranty Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with an optic (unless you have the proper solar filter). Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Never use your optic to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the optic and any accessories attached to it. Never leave your optic unsupervised. Make sure an adult who is familiar with the correct operating procedures is with your optic at all times, especially when children are present. Show more