telescopecomparison · 2-way
Astro-Tech AT10RC vs Celestron C8 SCT
Astro-Tech
AT10RC
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+25% aperture
Faster by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Astro-Tech AT10RC | Celestron C8 SCT |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | ritchey-chretien | sct |
| Optical design | Truss Ritchey-Chrétien | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Aperture | 254mm | 203mm |
| Focal length | 2000mm | 2032mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/8.0 | f/10.0 |
| Image circle | — | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 17.7kg | 5.7kg |
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT10RC
- 25% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/8 vs f/10
Advantages of Celestron C8 SCT
- Lighter (5.7kg vs 17.7kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Astro-Tech AT10RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Celestron C8 SCT
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Astro-Tech AT10RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.03° × 0.69°Scale: 0.39"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.67° × 0.45°Scale: 0.39"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.32° × 0.32°Scale: 0.39"/px
Celestron C8 SCT — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.02° × 0.68°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.66° × 0.44°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.32° × 0.32°Scale: 0.38"/px
Astro-Tech AT10RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Celestron C8 SCT — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.