Meade RCX Series Telescopes

Observatory-level Telescope

   On March 26, 2002 Meade’s engineers set out to design a telescope with optical performance superior to any sold today. It would feature the most sophisticated and technologically advanced mechanics and electronics ever offered. In short, it would be an observatory-level telescope for the serious astronomer and astrophotographer.

   After carefully evaluating the merits of every telescope design, Meade engineers concluded their Advanced Ritchey-Chretien was the optimal telescope design. A fast (f/8) RC design produces a large, coma-free field of view from edge-to-edge, allowing astrophotographers to use the latest in imaging technology to capture tack sharp images over a wider field. Visual observers can view pinpoint stars and extended objects across the larger field of view. In fact, almost every professional reflector telescope in the world’s observatories is a Ritchey-Chretien, even the Hubble Space Telescope.

   Although the Ritchey-Chretien is a premier optical design, Meade engineers saw opportunities for further improvement. The RCX400 optical design consists of a hyperbolic secondary and corrector lens/primary mirror combination that performs as one hyperbolic element. Further, by utilizing the precision polished and figured front corrector lens, the engineers were able to eliminate the typical secondary mirror support structure which causes diffraction spikes that degrade image contrast and resolution. The corrector lens also minimizes the astigmatism inherent in the traditional RC design. Performance was further improved by incorporating computer-optimized baffling and Meade’s unsurpassed Ultra High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) for maximum image contrast and brightness.

   In the hands of the serious astronomer or astrophotographer the new Meade RCX400 is an instrument that will produce razor sharp star images across the entire field of view on par with the best professional observatories. The dream of owning the ultimate Advanced Ritchey-Chretien telescope is finally here.

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