The f/2 astrograph with room for the longest nights
The Celestron RASA 8 CGEM II Mount the extremely fast Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph on the heavy CGEM II platform. The 203mm optics operate at f/2.0 with a 400mm focal length: in tens of seconds, you can capture nebulae and star fields that classic systems take minutes for. This is a pure astrograph, built for photography, not for visual observation.
Camera in front, no eyepiece
On a RASA, the camera is located at the focal point on the front of the tube; an eyepiece intentionally does not fit. The field is corrected across the full sensor width: point-like stars even into the corners. The short exposures place mild demands on tracking accuracy, and on the CGEM II with an 18 kg payload capacity, there is still room for the camera, filter wheel, and dew prevention.
The CGEM II Mount: Room for Serious Photography
The CGEM II is Celestron's heavier-duty German equatorial GoTo mount: 18 kg payload capacity, NexStar+ hand controller with over 40,000 objects, All-Star Polar Alignment, permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC), and an autoguider port. The mount operates on 12V; a power tank is the logical addition.
For whom yes, for whom no
For the dedicated deep-sky photographer who wants maximum results per hour, with a setup that works unattended for nights on end. Not for those who also want to observe visually; then choose an EdgeHD on the same mount.
What's in the box?
- Optical tube RASA 8 (203/400, f/2.0)
- CGEM II GoTo Mount with NexStar+ Hand Controller
- Steel tripod with accessory tray
- Camera adapters for focal plane
- Counterweights
Recommended accessory
- The Celestron PowerTank Lithium LT The mount feeds all night in the field.
| Specification | Celestron RASA 8 CGEM II |
| Optical design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph |
| Opening | 203 mm (8 inches) |
| Focal length | 400 mm |
| Opening ratio | f/2.0 |
| Use | Photographic only (no eyepiece possible) |
| Light output | 841 times relative to the naked eye |
| Mount | CGEM II, German equatorial GoTo (18 kg payload capacity) |
| Hand controller | NexStar+ with 40,000+ objects |
| Autoguider port | Yes |
| Nutrition | 12V external |
Still unsure about the right model? Our Buyer's guide for beginners and the telescope selection aid help you step by step. Also check out all the telescopes for astrophotography or the full range on the Celestron merk Page. You can read more background information about the merk in the Celestron merk Guide.
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