Exploring the Variety of Astrograph Telescopes: A Look at Eight Different Models
Top Telescopes for Astrophotography and Visual Observing in 2025
Astrophotography has become increasingly popular, and with it, the demand for telescopes that excel in both imaging and visual observing. Here are some of the top recommendations for 2025:
- Vaonis Vespera Pro – This smart telescope features a 50mm f/5 quadruplet refractor with ED glass, delivering sharp, colour-accurate images. Integrated with a high-quality Sony sensor, it comes with app control, making it great for effortless exploration and imaging [1].
- Askar Telescopes – As a range of refractors and astrographs, Askar offers optical designs that produce crisp visuals without chromatic aberration, making them suitable for both imaging and visual use. Their mechanical design supports smooth focusing and stable setups, ideal for a variety of camera sensors [2].
- Celestron NexStar 8SE – With its robust Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design on a stable equatorial mount, the NexStar 8SE is ideal for imaging. It supports smartphone astrophotography and is also usable for visual observation [3].
- William Optics RedCat 51 – Known for its portability and wide-field, sharp, colour-corrected imaging, this small refractor is excellent for deep-sky astrophotography but also easy to use visually for wide views of star fields and large targets [3].
- ZWO Seestar S50 – This all-in-one smart telescope automates difficult parts of astrophotography like alignment and focusing, and is priced affordably to help beginners capture impressive images. It supports observing and quick imaging of the Moon, Sun, and deep-sky objects [4].
Astrograph telescopes, designed specifically for astrophotography, can take various forms, including apochromatic refractors, Petzval refractors, Newtonian reflectors, Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrographs (RASA), Ritchey-Chretien reflectors (RCTs), Harmer-Wynne telescopes, Dall-Kirkham telescopes, and Riccardi-Honders telescopes.
For instance, the Meade 6000 Series is an example of an apochromatic refractor astrograph, while the William Optics RedCat 51LX is an example of a Petzval refractor astrograph. The Orion Astrograph 8 or 10 inch f/3.9 is an example of a Newtonian reflector astrograph.
RASA telescopes, such as the Celestron RASA 8'' f/2, are a range of Celestron astrographs dedicated to astrophotography and can only be used with dedicated astro cameras, not DSLRs or similar mirrorless cameras.
Ritchey-Chretien telescopes (RCTs) are specialized astrographs typically used in large professional research telescopes, including Hubble. Accessible and affordable RCTs exist for regular astrophotographers.
Newtonian Reflector Astrographs tend to be large and heavy but provide good value for money in terms of aperture and performance. The focal ratio of a telescope is calculated by dividing the focal length by the aperture, and a lower focal ratio is better for astrophotography.
Astrographs, it's worth noting, are designed specifically for astrophotography, not astronomy.
For more information on the best telescopes for astrophotography, you can refer to the article on the topic.
[1] Vaonis - https://www.vaonis.com/vespera
[2] Askar Telescopes - https://askartelescopes.com/
[3] Celestron - https://www.celestron.com/
[4] ZWO - https://www.zwo.com.cn/en/
[5] Telescope Online - https://www.telescope.com/
[6] William Optics - https://www.williamoptics.com/
[7] Meade - https://www.meade.com/
[8] Orion Telescopes & Binoculars - https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Telescopes-Binoculars/cat/1/10001.uts
[9] Celestron RASA - https://www.celestron.com/rasa/
[10] Ritchey-Chretien Telescopes - https://www.telescope.com/Ritchey-Chretien-Telescopes/cat/1/10002.uts
[11] Harmer-Wynne Telescopes - https://www.officinastellare.com/en/products/harmer-wynne-telescopes
[12] Dall-Kirkham Telescopes - https://www.telescope.com/Dall-Kirkham-Telescopes/cat/1/10003.uts
[13] Riccardi-Honders Telescopes - https://www.officinastellare.com/en/products/riccardi-handers-telescopes
[14] TPO - https://www.telescope.com/TPO-Telescopes/cat/1/10004.uts
[15] William Optics RedCat 51LX - https://www.williamoptics.com/products/redcat51lx
[16] Orion Astrograph 8 or 10 inch f/3.9 - https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Astrograph-8-or-10-inch-f-3-9/p/14253
[17] Affordable RCT - https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Astrograph-8-or-10-inch-f-3-9/p/14253
[18] Celestron RASA 8'' f/2 - https://www.celestron.com/rasa/
[19] Astrograph Telescopes - https://www.telescope.com/Astrograph-Telescopes/cat/1/10005.uts
[20] Focal Ratio - https://www.telescope.com/Focal-Ratio/cat/1/10006.uts
[21] Aperture - https://www.telescope.com/Aperture/cat/1/10007.uts
[22] Focal Length - https://www.telescope.com/Focal-Length/cat/1/10008.uts
[23] Best Telescopes for Astrophotography - https://www.telescope.com/Best-Telescopes-for-Astrophotography/cat/1/10009.uts
- Astrograph telescopes, such as the Celestron RASA 8'' f/2 and the William Optics RedCat 51LX, are specifically designed for astrophotography and can only be used with dedicated astro cameras, not DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.
- The Vaonis Vespera Pro, with its integrated high-quality Sony sensor, demonstrated effortless exploration and imaging in astrophotography.
- Ritchey-Chretien telescopes, like Orion's Astrograph 8 or 10 inch f/3.9, are accessible and affordable for regular astrophotographers, even though they are typically used in large professional research telescopes like Hubble.
- For deep-sky astrophotography, the William Optics RedCat 51LX is known for its portability, wide-field, sharp, color-corrected imaging, and usability for visual observation.
- The ZWO Seestar S50 is an affordable all-in-one smart telescope that automates difficult parts of astrophotography like alignment and focusing, making it great for beginners capturing impressive astrophotography images.
