# RC Optical Systems

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**RC Optical Systems** was a high-end American [telescope](/source/Telescope) and optics manufacturer that specialized in [Ritchey-Chrétien](/source/Ritchey-Chr%C3%A9tien) telescopes with hyperbolic mirrors.[1] RC also made related mounts and systems for the telescopes, with a focus on open and closed [carbon fiber](/source/Carbon_fiber) trusses for low expansion. The basic Ritchey-Chrétien optical system uses two mirrors and no refracting elements, which reduces light loss and its optical characteristics make it popular for [astrophotography](/source/Astrophotography). Refracting elements may be added to correct for field curvature.

RC Optical Systems was started 1998 and was located in [Flagstaff, Arizona](/source/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](/source/Meade_Instruments) over Meade's description of RCX400 and [LX200R](/source/Meade_LX200) 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](/source/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](/source/Lulin_Observatory) 0.4-meter in [Taiwan](/source/Taiwan).[6]

[PROMPT](/source/PROMPT_(telescope)) telescope (Panchromatic Robotic Optical Monitoring and Polarimetry Telescopes), which was built by the [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/source/University_of_North_Carolina_at_Chapel_Hill) at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory ([CTIO](/source/CTIO)) in [Chile](/source/Chile) with six 0.6-meter instruments.

[Robinson Observatory](/source/Robinson_Observatory) of the [University of Central Florida](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Astrophotography).[10]

[TacSat-2](/source/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

1. ["Star Instruments and RC Optical Systems Prevail over Meade Instruments | Reuters"](https://archive.today/20130201115047/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/04/idUS138408+04-Feb-2008+BW20080204). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/04/idUS138408+04-Feb-2008+BW20080204) on 2013-02-01.

1. ["RC Optical Systems Flagstaff AZ, 86004 – Manta.com"](https://www.manta.com/c/mmckwg3/rc-optical-systems-inc). 2018-01-31. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180131024034/https://www.manta.com/c/mmckwg3/rc-optical-systems-inc) 2018-01-31 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

1. ["RC Optical Systems"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081006104653/http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/observ.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/observ.html) on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2009-02-13.

1. ["Tacsat-2"](http://astronautix.com/craft/tacsat2.htm). February 18, 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070218161337/http://astronautix.com/craft/tacsat2.htm) 2007-02-18 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Astronomy at the University of Louisville"](https://www.astro.louisville.edu/). *astro.louisville.edu*

1. ["Brief introduction of Lulin Observatory and Super Light Telescope"](http://luss.y234.cn/overview.htm). *luss.y234.cn*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090129221753/http://luss.y234.cn/overview.htm) 2009-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 August 2023.

1. ["UCF sure has changed over the past 48 years"](http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/story/news/2016/08/04/ucf-sure-has-changed-over-past-48-years/87934890/). *Central Florida Future*. Retrieved 2017-01-11.

1. ["USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today"](http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/story/news/2016/08/04/ucf-sure-has-changed-over-past-48-years/87934890/)

1. ["New Observatory to Open at Liberty University in Spring 2013"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170113154943/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9847415.htm). *PRWeb*. Archived from [the original](https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9847415.htm) on January 13, 2017.

1. ["New Observatory to Open at Liberty University in Spring 2013"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170113154943/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9847415.htm). *PRWeb*. Archived from [the original](http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9847415.htm) on January 13, 2017. Retrieved 2017-01-11.

1. V, Robert (27 March 2015). ["Take Stunning Moon Shots, From Your Driveway (Gallery)"](https://www.space.com/28951-moon-image-gallery-from-robert-vanderbei.html). *Space.com*. Retrieved 2019-01-01.

1. V, Robert (27 March 2015). ["Take Stunning Moon Shots, From Your Driveway (Gallery)"](https://www.space.com/28951-moon-image-gallery-from-robert-vanderbei.html). *Space.com*. Retrieved 2019-01-01.

1. ["RC Optical Systems - Ritchey-Chrétien Overview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080909054320/http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/prodline.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/prodline.html) on 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2009-02-13.

1. ["LightBuckets - RC Optical Systems 24" Ritchey-Chretien Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024253/http://www.lightbuckets.com/news/5/rc-optical-systems-24-ritchey-chretien-review/). Archived from [the original](http://www.lightbuckets.com/news/5/rc-optical-systems-24-ritchey-chretien-review/) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-13.

1. ["Robtics | RC Optical Systems 32 inch F/8 Ritchey-Chretien Carbon Truss"](http://www.robtics.nl/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=49&products_id=467). *www.robtics.nl*. Retrieved 2017-01-11.

## External links

- [RC Optical Systems](http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/)
- [Photos of DFM telescope being installed in 1998](https://web.archive.org/web/20070804145655/http://www.apo.nmsu.edu/site/SDSS.progress/19980812dfm/dfm.html)
- [RCOS Comparison](http://www.atscope.com.au/rcos.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RC Optical Systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_Optical_Systems) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_Optical_Systems?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.