Focal reducer question

I have an 8" LX200 GPS telescope ... and use a 2" star diagonal (and
1.25" adapter) with a 2" e.p. and a 1.25" e.p.
My question is this: with that setup will adding on a focal reducer
allow me to see a wider section of the sky, or is it as wide as it's
going to get with using just the 2" diagonal.
Many thanks

have an 8" LX200 GPS telescope ... and use a 2" star diagonal (and
1.25" adapter) with a 2" e.p. and a 1.25" e.p.
My question is this: with that setup will adding on a focal reducer
allow me to see a wider section of the sky, or is it as wide as it's
going to get with using just the 2" diagonal.

Hi:

Bit of confusion here...

The 2" diagonal will allow you to see a bit wider field only because 1.25"
eyepieces at long focal lengths are limited by their barrel diameter. So, yes,
you get a bit more true field with a long focal length 2" eyepiece than a 1.25"
one.

OTOH, an f/6.3 r/c will deliver lower magnifications and wider fields with ALL
eyepieces (you will need to stay under about 30mm with 2" eyepieces to avoid
vignetting).


Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
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