telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron RASA 14 vs Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph
Celestron
RASA 14
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Orion
8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+75% aperture
Faster by 1.7 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron RASA 14 | Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | newtonian |
| Optical design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph | Newtonian astrograph |
| Aperture | 356mm | 203mm |
| Focal length | 790mm | 800mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.2 | f/3.9 |
| Image circle | 52mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 30.0kg | 10.5kg |
Advantages of Celestron RASA 14
- 75% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.22 vs f/3.9
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph
- Lighter (10.5kg vs 30kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Celestron RASA 14
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Celestron RASA 14 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.61° × 1.74°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.70° × 1.14°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.82° × 0.82°Scale: 0.98"/px
Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.58° × 1.72°Scale: 0.97"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.68° × 1.12°Scale: 0.97"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.81° × 0.81°Scale: 0.97"/px
Celestron RASA 14 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Orion 8" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.