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There’s a wide range of popular telescopes for amateur astronomers, such as Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes, that are of the catadioptric design.
The Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, or SCT, is the most popular design in the broader catadioptric telescope line-up. The Schmidt-Cassegrain has a folded optical system consisting of a primary mirror and a corrector plate with the secondary mirror right in the center. This design allows the telescope tube to be much more compact than a Newtonian reflector or a refractor.
The most popular Schmidt-Cassegrain has a large 8" diameter mirror and an optical tube that’s about 18" long - a perfect combination of great light-gathering capabilities and easy-to-carry portability. For example, the Celestron Advanced AVX 8" SCT Go To Telescope features Celestron’s All Star Polar Alignment and Autoguider support, a 30-pound payload capability, and periodic error correction for precision tracking during long exposures.
The Maksutov-Cassegrain, or Mak-Cass, catadioptric telescope looks very much like an SCT but has a longer focal length due to the way the light travels inside the tube. The Maksutov-Cassegrain really shines when used for terrestrial or astronomical viewing, especially when turned to the Moon or planets, but it isn't the best choice for deep-sky astrophotography due to its long focal length.
A prime example is the Celestron NexStar 4 SE Essential Bundle, which has proven to be popular with planetary imagers. Its focal length of 1325mm is enough to produce outstanding views of the planets while the bundled accessories will help you make the most of both your astro-imaging and visual observing. The package includes a 2x Barlow lens to double the magnification of your eyepieces, a red LED flashlight to preserve your night vision, a Moon filter to comfortably view and image the Moon, and a lens pen to keep your optics clean.
There are also catadioptric telescopes for sale that are designed primarily for astrophotography or imaging, like the Ritchey-Chretien (RC), Meade ACF, and Celestron EdgeHD.
Not sure where to start? Give us a call and we’ll help you find the catadioptric scope that’s best for you. Call us toll-free at (800) 266 9590 today or email your questions to [email protected]. Our non-commissioned product experts are here to help and will ensure you get the best equipment for your needs!
