Description
The Feather Touch #3015 normally comes with a 109mm threaded collar for connecting to a scope. Using the #3015 with the AT10RCT therefore requires an optional #M117x1 Feather Touch adapter. The #M117x1 adapter threads onto the focuser attachment port. The #3015 focuser (without its 109mm collar) then slips into the #M117x1 adapter and is held in place by three large brass Delrin-tipped retaining knobs. Only focusers with a maximum 1.5″ drawtube travel, such as the Feather Touch #3015, are recommended for use with the 12″ Astro-Tech AT10RCT Ritchey-Chrtien. For other focusers, such as a MoonLite, contact the focuser manufacturer for an adapter to fit the 117mm x 1mm port on the rear of the scope.
The image plane is located 9.2″ behind the rear cell (233mm from the top of the focuser attachment port). To fine-tune the back focus of the AT10RCT to the requirements of your camera and equipment train, three threaded extension rings (one 2″ in length and two 1″ in length) are provided to thread singly or in combination between the 117mm port on the AT10RCT rear cell and the focuser of your choice. These provide a flex-free solid metal extension that changes the distance between your chosen focuser and the rear cell. This lets you accommodate the varying back-focus requirements of DSLR-type camera imaging versus long equipment train CCD imaging. The 2″ x 117mm diameter threaded ring weighs 14.4 ounces; each 1″ ring weighs 7.2 oz.
Equatorial mount recommendations: Because of the 33.5 pound (15.2 kg) weight of the AT10RCT (without focuser), plus the weight of your focuser, camera equipment, and any photoguide scope, installing the AT10RCT on a German equatorial mount with a 45 pound (minimum) to 100 pound or greater payload capacity is recommended. Such mounts include the 60 pound capacity CEM60, the 50 pound capacity Celestron CGX or 75 pound capacity CGX-L and the Losmandy 60 pound capacity G11 or 100 pound capacity HGM Titan. Other suitable mounts are also available from Software Bisque and Astro-Physics.
Cooling fans: To allow the AT10RCT to reach ambient temperatures more quickly for optimum imaging performance, there are three small low vibration/high CFM primary mirror cooling fans built into the rear cell. The high speed DC fans are powered by a standard equipment battery pack that plugs into a jack on the rear cell. The battery pack uses eight user-supplied AA batteries. An optional external DC power supply, such as a rechargeable 12VDC battery pack can also be used to power the fans.
Two dovetail mounting rails: Two 9.8″ Losmandy-style “D-plate” dovetail rails are provided for installing the AT10RCT on an equatorial mount, as well as for mounting optional accessories (such as rings for a photoguide scope). One dovetail, positioned underneath the 15.75″ maximum diameter by 24.4″ long (without focuser) optical tube, connects the AT10RCT to your equatorial mount. The second rail, 180 away from the first, will then be on top of the tube for installing a photoguide scope or any other accessory that attaches to a scope by means of Losmandy-style “D-plate” dovetail adapters. The undersides of the dovetails have been hollowed out to lighten their weight without compromising their strength.
Other accessories: This new Version A of the AT10RCT includes slip-on dust covers for both the primary and secondary mirrors. Also included is a mounting shoe for a red dot-type finder, such as the Astro-Tech ATF. The mounting shoe can also accept the Astro-Tech ATF50QRB 50mm finderscope quick release bracket.
Tech Details:
| Aperture | 10″ |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 2000mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/8 |
| Weight | 33.5 lbs. |
| Resolution | 0.46 arc seconds |
| Telescope Type | Ritchey-Chrtien |
| Visual Limiting Magnitude | 13.4 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Back Focus | 233mm |
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