Celestron 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA (#91012)
High Contrast. High Resolution. High Satisfaction.
There’s something undeniably special about the Celestron 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain. It’s not just the long focal length or the razor-sharp optics—it’s the whole observing experience. Whether you’re splitting double stars, chasing planetary detail, or scanning the Moon’s rugged landscape crater by crater, this instrument delivers contrast and clarity that other scopes struggle to match.
This is a telescope built for observers who crave detail and definition over ultra-wide fields—urban astronomers, planetary imagers, and lunar enthusiasts, we’re talking to you.
A Rare Opportunity to Own the OTA Alone
Celestron does not offer the 7" Mak as a standalone OTA. It’s only sold as part of a complete mount package. But on rare occasions—like this one—we receive the mount/OTA combo and make the OTA available separately. If you've ever dreamed of owning this optical powerhouse without paying for an entire setup you don’t need, now’s your chance.
Maksutov-Cassegrain: Contrast is King
At the heart of this telescope is a 180mm aperture with a 2700mm focal length, giving it an f/15 focal ratio. The optical design is classic Maksutov-Cassegrain: a catadioptric system using a meniscus corrector plate, spherical primary mirror, and a secondary spot that’s applied directly to the back of the corrector.
What makes this so special?
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Infrequent Collimation: With no adjustable secondary mirror, the Mak holds collimation extremely well—ideal for those who prefer observing over tweaking.
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High Contrast Performance: The smaller secondary obstruction (just 23.3% by diameter) results in higher contrast than comparably sized Schmidt-Cassegrains—critical when observing planetary features or subtle lunar shading.
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No Chromatic Aberration: As a reflective/refractive system, the Mak delivers sharp, color-pure views across the spectrum.
The only tradeoff is cooldown time. That thick corrector plate takes a while to reach thermal equilibrium, especially in colder climates. But once it does—the views speak for themselves.
Excellent for Visual and Narrow-Field Imaging
This scope excels in applications that benefit from long focal lengths and tight fields of view:
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Planets: You’ll see Saturn’s Cassini Division, Jupiter’s festoons, and Mars’ polar caps with stunning definition.
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Double Stars: With 0.64" Rayleigh and 0.52" Dawes resolution, it’s a double star hunter’s dream.
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The Moon: Craters, rilles, and mountain ranges appear with photographic sharpness—no exaggeration.
Included Accessories
This OTA comes ready to observe with:
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2" Visual Back
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2" Star Diagonal with 1.25" Adapter
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28mm 2" Wide-Field Eyepiece (96x magnification)
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8x50 Straight-Through Finderscope
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CGE-style Dovetail Rail for mounting on compatible equatorial systems
The entire tube assembly is constructed from aluminum and weighs in at 19 lbs, making it highly manageable and mount-friendly.
Final Thoughts
The Celestron 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA is a specialized instrument that fills a unique niche—one that prioritizes high-resolution, high-contrast, pinpoint views over wide-field sweeping. It’s built for those who appreciate optical precision and planetary finesse, whether from light-polluted backyards or dark-sky retreats.
If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to own one of the finest mid-sized Maks ever made, don’t let this one pass by.
