Redcat 51 astrophotography: Small telescope with BIG rewards

Editors note: Who could have imagined that optics the size of a standard finder scope would prove to be so valuable in astrophotography? But the Redcat 51 from William Optics, despite its compact 2-inch aperture, has earned a reputation for delivering impressive results on just about any object you point it at in the night sky. As a refractor telescope with a focal length of just 250mm, it is designed for wide-field imaging, making it ideal for capturing large nebulae, star fields, and other deep-sky objects. Its apochromatic optics ensure sharp, color-accurate images, minimizing chromatic aberration - a common issue in smaller scopes. Paired with a high-quality camera, the Redcat 51 showcases its versatility by producing stunning, highly detailed images of the night sky, proving that even a small, portable telescope can compete with much larger systems when it comes to astrophotography.

Astrophotographer and ScopeTrader contributor Kayali Ogetay of Nasa showcases a unique approach to capturing stunning celestial images, all taken with his compact 2" refractor (Redcat 51) in remote Bortle 1 skies. His work challenges the expectations typically associated with long focal length telescopes, demonstrating that even with a smaller instrument, one can achieve extraordinary results. His images push the boundaries of what’s possible with such equipment, blending artistic framing with technical precision.

The William Optics Redcat 51 specs

4-element Petzval refractor telescope
250mm focal length, f/4.9 focal ratio
Premium quality FPL-53 glass

Toast Nebula astrophoto captured with with a tiny 2" refractor (Redcat 51)

This is one of my favorites and I planned this shot in April. I made some initial testing up here in Houghton, thought about framing (because I couldn't find any images that fit all three together, another advantage of 2" refractor!) but took the shots in Texas.

Full resolution/details: https://www.astrobin.com/oumc67/

Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Frames:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 234×300″(19h 30′)
Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 55×300″(4h 35′)
ZWO Blue 36 mm: 37×300″(3h 5′)
ZWO Green 36 mm: 35×300″(2h 55′)
ZWO Luminance 36 mm: 175×300″(14h 35′)
ZWO Red 36 mm: 34×300″(2h 50′)

Integration:
47h 30′
Avg. Moon age:
7.69 days
Avg. Moon phase:
32.92%

Wolf Rayet 134 Redcat 5 Astrophotography

This is quite a popular target and you must be getting much better pictures of the area. But again, in 2" refractor this is a very small target! I had to crop quite a lot, but I was able to preserve the details that can challenge even much bigger telescopes.

Full resolution/details: https://www.astrobin.com/fwevr4/

Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Frames:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 158×300″(13h 10′)
Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 218×300″(18h 10′)
ZWO Blue 36 mm: 25×15″(6′ 15″)
ZWO Green 36 mm: 25×15″(6′ 15″)
ZWO Red 36 mm: 25×15″(6′ 15″)

Integration:
31h 38′ 45″
Avg. Moon age:
19.56 days
Avg. Moon phase:
51.37%

The bat with a long tail

It is hard to create original work with popular targets. And one of them is the Eastern Veil Nebula. Again this target is actually quite small on my frame, but I was able crop and preserve the details. Not just that, I have its tail as well! This faint Ha filaments are shown in others works, but I have never seen it is pictures as "the bat's tail". We had to discuss for two months how we can make a original work out of this with my photographer friend, and I quite like the composition we ended up with.

Whether it’s “The Toast, The Wolf's Cave, and the Dark Shark,” meticulously framed during his time in Houghton and captured in Texas, or the captivating “Wolf Rayet 134,” a smaller but detail-rich target. His inventive take on the Eastern Veil Nebula, named “The Bat with a Long Tail,” highlights his commitment to originality, even when working with popular astrophotography targets. Through his work, Ogetay continues to prove that with a keen eye and a compact telescope, amateur astronomers can create breathtaking images that rival those taken with much larger, more advanced equipment.

Full resolution/details: https://www.astrobin.com/fxdz1w/

Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Frames:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 231×300″(19h 15′)
Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 308×300″(25h 40′)

Integration:
44h 55′