{"product_id":"orion-optics-uk-ct16-optical-tube-assembly","title":"Orion Optics UK CT16 Optical Tube Assembly","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e400mm (16\") Aperture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1600mm Focal Length (f\/4)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1\/10 PV Wavefront Standard Optics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarbon Fiber Sandwich Tube Construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e36kg Optical Tube Weight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9-Point CNC Machined Mirror Cell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrion Optics UK CT16 Optical Tube Assembly\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Orion Optics UK CT16 is an observatory-class imaging instrument built around a hand-figured, 400mm f\/4 primary mirror guaranteed to a 1\/10 PV wavefront accuracy. Paired with a thermally inert carbon fiber sandwich tube and a 9-point flotation cell, its 1600mm focal length is engineered to deliver maximum resolution and contrast on the most demanding deep-sky and planetary targets. Weighing approximately 36kg, the CT16 OTA combines massive light-gathering power with the optical precision required for serious astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1\/10 PV Wavefront Optics: The Foundation of CT16's Imaging Power\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heart of the CT16 is its Suprax primary mirror, finished to Orion Optics UK's highest \"Ultra\" grade of 1\/10 PV wavefront. This isn't an optional upgrade; it's the standard for the entire CT line, ensuring that the optical system delivers virtually perfect images. Each mirror's performance is verified by a Zygo laser interferometer, and a report is supplied with the telescope, providing absolute confidence in its quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis level of precision means that the maximum and minimum deviation from a perfect parabolic wavefront is incredibly small. The result is exceptionally high contrast that resolves subtle details in galactic dust lanes and fine banding on gas giants, free from the image degradation caused by lower-quality optics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCarbon Fiber Tube \u0026amp; 9-Point Cell: Engineering for Stability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt an aggressive f\/4 focal ratio, maintaining precise focus is critical. The CT16's tube is a sandwich-construction carbon fiber design with a 450mm diameter, providing extreme rigidity and near-zero thermal expansion. This ensures the 1600mm focal plane remains locked in place as temperatures change, eliminating a common source of image drift during long imaging sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 400mm primary mirror is supported by a CNC machined, 9-point suspension cell that prevents gravitational flexure as the telescope tracks across the sky. An integrated fan system provides active cooling, allowing the massive mirror to reach thermal equilibrium quickly for stable, sharp views from the start of your session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e400mm Aperture at f\/4: A Deep-Sky Imaging Powerhouse\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a 400mm (16\") aperture, the CT16 gathers an immense amount of light, making it ideal for capturing faint nebulae and distant galaxies. The fast f\/4 focal ratio allows you to collect significant signal in shorter sub-exposure times, reducing demands on your mount's tracking and minimizing noise. This combination of light grasp and speed makes the CT16 a formidable tool for advanced deep-sky imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe optical path includes a 90mm secondary mirror held by a fully adjustable, stainless steel 4-vane spider. This setup is optimized for wide-field imaging, providing even illumination across large camera sensors with the addition of an appropriate coma corrector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImaging-Ready Components: 2\" Focuser and 8x50 Finder\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe CT16 is equipped with a precision 2\" Crayford-style focuser featuring reduction gearing for fine adjustments. This allows for critical focusing accuracy, essential for extracting the maximum detail the 1\/10 PV optics can deliver. The focuser has the back-focus and load-bearing capacity to handle modern imaging trains, including filter wheels and off-axis guiders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor initial alignment and target acquisition, a high-quality 8x50 achromatic finder scope is included. The entire optical tube is secured by a pair of CNC machined tube rings, which weigh 3.5kg and provide a rigid, stable connection to your mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe 1\/10 PV Advantage: What It Means on Jupiter and M13\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile many telescopes use \"diffraction-limited\" optics (typically 1\/4 PV wavefront), the CT16's 1\/10 PV standard offers a tangible leap in image fidelity. On a target like Jupiter, a 1\/4 PV system might show the main equatorial belts clearly, but the 1\/10 PV optic will resolve finer, low-contrast details within those belts, along with delicate festoons and small ovals that would otherwise be smeared out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor deep-sky objects, this translates to superior stellar resolution. When viewing the Hercules Cluster (M13), a 1\/10 PV mirror will produce tighter, more point-like stars across the field, allowing you to resolve individual stars deeper into the cluster's dense core. This is the practical benefit of minimizing wavefront error: more light is focused into the central point of a star's image, increasing sharpness and contrast on every object you view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat kind of mount is required for the Orion Optics UK CT16 OTA?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe CT16 optical tube weighs approximately \u003cstrong\u003e36kg\u003c\/strong\u003e and the rings add another \u003cstrong\u003e3.5kg\u003c\/strong\u003e, for a total weight of nearly 40kg before adding any imaging equipment. A heavy-duty, observatory-class German Equatorial Mount with a payload capacity of at least 50kg (110 lbs) or more is strongly recommended for stable imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does the CT16's 1\/10 PV optics perform on planetary targets like Saturn?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1\/10 PV wavefront accuracy provides exceptionally high contrast, which is critical for planetary observing. On Saturn, this means you will see not just the Cassini Division, but also subtler features like the Encke Gap (in good seeing), low-contrast banding on the planet's globe, and the delicate crepe ring. The image will be sharper and more stable than what a standard 1\/4 PV optic can deliver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the f\/4 focal ratio of the CT16 good for deep-sky imaging?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, an f\/4 focal ratio is excellent for deep-sky imaging. It is considered a \"fast\" system, allowing you to capture faint details in nebulae and galaxies with shorter exposure times compared to a slower f\/8 or f\/10 system. You will need to pair it with a high-quality coma corrector to ensure sharp stars across the entire field of view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the benefit of the carbon fiber tube on the CT16?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbon fiber sandwich tube offers two main advantages. First, it has \u003cstrong\u003evirtually zero thermal expansion\u003c\/strong\u003e, which means the focal point does not shift as the temperature changes during the night. This is crucial for maintaining sharp focus over long imaging runs. Second, it provides a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio, ensuring the optical components remain perfectly aligned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDoes the Orion Optics CT16 come with a Zygo test report?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Every CT-range telescope from Orion Optics UK is supplied with a Zygo interferometry report. This document provides a detailed analysis of the primary mirror's surface accuracy, giving you documented proof that it meets the stringent \u003cstrong\u003e1\/10 PV wavefront\u003c\/strong\u003e specification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy is active cooling important for a 400mm mirror like the one in the CT16?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA large 400mm mirror has significant thermal mass and can take hours to cool to the ambient air temperature. While it's cooling, it creates air currents inside the optical tube (tube seeing) that degrade the image. The integrated fan system on the CT16's 9-point mirror cell actively cools the mirror, drastically reducing this cooldown time so you can achieve sharp, stable images much faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptics Grade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/10 PV wavefront\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAperture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocal Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1600mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocal Ratio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ef\/4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary Mirror Glass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuprax\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMirror Coatings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEnhanced Hilux\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSecondary Mirror Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\" focuser with reduction gearing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFinder Scope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8x50\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarbon fibre sandwich\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1470mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical Tube Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36kg (approx.)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Rings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCNC machined, anodised black\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTube Rings Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.5kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMirror Cell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9-point suspension, CNC machined aluminium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpider\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-vane, stainless steel, fully adjustable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSecondary Holder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMachined aluminium, rotatable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded Extension Tubes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40mm long, screw threaded\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBoxed Dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBox 1: 172x58x58mm, Box 2: 58x58x34mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBoxed Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBox 1: 22kg, Box 2: 18kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/orion-optics-uk-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOrion Optics UK 1-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Orion Optics UK","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52942380794141,"sku":"OOUK-CT16-OPTICAL-TUBE-ASSEMBLY","price":7582.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Orion-Optics-UK-Logo_223e6bb1-751e-40b5-ac62-068e5b4ac278.jpg?v=1789607230","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/en-us\/products\/orion-optics-uk-ct16-optical-tube-assembly","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}