RC Optical Systems
RC Optical Systems was a high-end American
RC Optical Systems was started 1998 and was located in Flagstaff, Arizona.[2] Telescopes and systems were sold commercially to individuals, institutions, and governments.[3] The smallest RCOS telescope, the 12.5 inch F/9 Ritchey-Chrétien had a base price of just over twenty thousand US dollars in 2009, with large and/or custom models costing considerably more.
RC Optical Systems and Star Instruments won a lawsuit in 2008 against Meade Instruments over Meade's description of RCX400 and LX200R telescopes and the Ritchey-Chrétien classification.[1]
RCOS shut down operations in late 2013 and no longer provides support for any of their telescopes or accessories.[4]
Known institutional facilities using the telescopes produced by RC Optical Systems include
Moore Observatory of the University of Louisville has a 0.6-meter and a 0.5-meter at its site near Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It also operates its 0.6-meter at Mt. Lemmon Observatory (MLO) on a site hosted by the University of Arizona.[5]
Lulin Observatory 0.4-meter in Taiwan.[6]
Robinson Observatory of the University of Central Florida, USA, installed a 0.5-meter telescope in 2007.[7] The telescope produced by RCOS has a 20inch diameter aperture.[8] The telescope replaced the 26-inch Tinsley Telescope which was in the dome previously.[8]
Liberty University installed a 0.5-meter RCOS telescope in 2012.[9] The telescope is intended for high-quality research, and they intended to equip the telescope with a CCD camera for Astrophotography.[10]
TacSat-2 observation system, an experimental satellite launched in 2006, included a 0.5-meter telescope.
RCOS telescopes have also been known to be used by amateur astronomers.[11] In one case an amateur astronomer, also a college professor, reported that he had a 10" Ritchey-Chretien telescope from RC Optical Systems among his telescopes along with two refractors.[12]
Major designs offered by 2009, over a decade after its founding included [13]
- Telescopes for astronomy
- 12.5 inch F/9 Truss Ritchey-Chrétien, 12.5 inch F/9 Ritchey-Chrétien
- 14.5 inch Truss Ritchey-Chrétien
- 16 inch F/8.4 Ritchey-Chrétien, 16 inch Truss F/8.4 Ritchey-Chrétien
- 20 inch F/8.1 Ritchey-Chrétien, 20 inch Truss F/8.1 Ritchey-Chrétien
- 24 inch f/8 Truss Ritchey-Chrétien [14]
- 32 inch Truss (81 cm) f/7 Ritchey-Chrétien [15]
- Telescopes for ruggedized and military use
- 12.5 inch f/9 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
- 16 inch f.8.4 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
- 20 inch f/8.1 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
- 24 inch f/8 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
- 32 inch f/7 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
- 34 inch f/8 Military Ritchey-Chrétien
References
- ^ a b "Star Instruments and RC Optical Systems Prevail over Meade Instruments | Reuters". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
- ^ "RC Optical Systems Flagstaff AZ, 86004 – Manta.com". January 31, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "RC Optical Systems". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
- ^ "Tacsat-2". February 18, 2007. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007.
- ^ "Astronomy at the University of Louisville". astro.louisville.edu.
- ^ "Brief introduction of Lulin Observatory and Super Light Telescope". luss.y234.cn. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "UCF sure has changed over the past 48 years". Central Florida Future. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today".
- ^ "New Observatory to Open at Liberty University in Spring 2013". PRWeb.
- ^ "New Observatory to Open at Liberty University in Spring 2013". PRWeb. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ V, Robert (March 27, 2015). "Take Stunning Moon Shots, From Your Driveway (Gallery)". Space.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ V, Robert (March 27, 2015). "Take Stunning Moon Shots, From Your Driveway (Gallery)". Space.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "RC Optical Systems - Ritchey-Chrétien Overview". Archived from the original on September 9, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
- ^ "LightBuckets - RC Optical Systems 24" Ritchey-Chretien Review". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ "Robtics | RC Optical Systems 32 inch F/8 Ritchey-Chretien Carbon Truss". www.robtics.nl. Retrieved January 11, 2017.