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Planewave Rc 700

RC700 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope

SKU: 700126Q Categories: , ,

$240,000.00

The RC700 Telescope from PlaneWave Instruments is engineered for elite astronomers and astrophotographers who demand precision and scalability in their astronomical endeavors. This powerhouse system is equipped with the RC700 Ritchey-Chrétien optical tube and a high-performance direct-drive mount, making it an exceptional choice for advanced research, deep-sky imaging, and educational purposes.

About the RC700 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope

Key Features of the RC700 Telescope

RC700 Optical Tube Assembly

  • Aperture and Focal Length: Boasts a 0.7-meter aperture and an 8410 mm focal length at an f/12 ratio, ideal for high-resolution imaging and detailed observational studies.
  • Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Design: Features a classic RC design optimized for minimal central obstruction, enhancing image contrast and reducing diffraction spikes for clearer and more detailed celestial images.
  • Dual Nasmyth Focus Capability: Supports heavy instrumentation with over 300 lbs capacity on each focus port, facilitated by a controllable tertiary mirror that allows quick switching between instruments or cameras.

High-Performance Mounting System

  • Direct Drive Motors: Incorporates cutting-edge direct-drive motors that ensure smooth, fast, and quiet slewing at up to 50 degrees per second, offering zero backlash and zero periodic error, ideal for precise tracking and fast repositioning.
  • High-Resolution Encoders: Features on-axis 26-bit absolute encoders on each axis for ultra-precise pointing and tracking capabilities, essential for stable low Earth orbit satellite tracking.
  • Advanced Tertiary Mirror System: Includes a software-controllable rotating tertiary mirror which simplifies the use of multiple instruments and switching between different observational setups without rebalancing or refocusing.

Application-Specific Advantages

Astrophotography

The RC700 excels in delivering exceptional image quality with its large aperture and long focal length, combined with a high-precision drive system. It's perfectly suited for capturing detailed images of distant galaxies, nebulae, planets, and other deep-sky objects.

Astronomy Research

This observatory-class system is a valuable asset for universities, research institutes, and commercial observatories focused on detailed celestial measurements and long-term space studies. Its robust design and advanced optical capabilities enable precise photometry, spectroscopy, and high-resolution imaging.

Free-Space Optical Communication (FSOC)

The RC700's large aperture and refractive-optics-free design make it exceptionally well-suited for Free-Space Optical Communication. These features allow for high-resolution, long-distance optical data transmission, which is critical in modern telecommunications. Additionally, the telescope's exceptional tracking capabilities ensure precise alignment with communication satellites and other terrestrial communication points, enhancing signal fidelity and system reliability in FSOC applications.

Specifications

RC700 Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope

OPTICAL SYSTEMS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURE
MOTION CONTROL
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
INCLUDED ITEMS
Aperture 700 mm (27.56 in.)
Focal Length 8,410 mm
Focal Ratio f/12
Central Obstruction < 30 % of the Primary Mirror
Back Focus 12.62 in (320.6mm)
Weight 2,500 lbs (1134 kg)
Fork Assembly Space frame steel truss
Fork Base Welded stainless steel torsion box
Optical Tube Dual truss structure with Nasmyth focus
Instrument Payload
Motor – Azimuth and Altitude Direct drive 3 phase axial-flux torque motor
Encoder – Azimuth and Altitude 255 mm stainless steel encoder ring with read-head yields 67.1 million counts per revolution of the telescope. This translates to about 0.019 arc-second resolution.
Motor Torque Approximately 170 ft-lbs continuous (Azimuth motor)
Drive Electronics Elmo Motion Control Systems drives
Telescope Control Software PlaneWave Interface 4 (PWI4) Software. Incorporates PointXP mount modeling software and All Sky PlateSolve, both by Dave Rowe. Also includes automatic focusing, dew heater control, primary mirror cover control, dome control and provides HTTP and ASCOM control interfaces. Linux and Windows compatible. MaxIm DL is required for camera control when building a pointing model within our PWI4 software.
Pointing Accuracy 10 arcsecond RMS with PointXP Model
Pointing Precision 2 arcseconds at sidereal velocity
Tracking Accuracy < 0.2 arcseconds over a 10-second period at sidereal velocity
System Natural Frequency 16 Hz or greater
Included Items PW Focuser - Provides 11.3” of back focus to the image plane when coupled with the rotator and has a 45lb payload capacity.
Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - Heating elements for dew prevention on the primary and secondary mirror.
Flashdrive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror

Recommended Products

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Series-5 Controller

We have designed a new 5-wire bus communication box that controls the Series-5 Focuser and Rotator, which includes M12 circular 5-wire threaded connector heads for environmental sealing.

  • The Series -5 Controller has been designed for:
    • Operating the Series-5 Focuser and Rotator
    • Powering the fans for temperature control on DeltaRho Astrographs, as well as CDK12.5 to CDK24 telescopes
    • Powering and controlling the telescope’s built-in anti-dew heating pads.
  • Includes M12 circular 5-wire threaded connector heads for environmental sealing.
  • Controlled via our PlaneWave Interface 4 software with ASCOM support.

 

$1,000.00
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Series-5 Focuser (Stackable with Series-5 Rotator)
  • The Series-5 focuser is a large capacity focuser for use with Alt/Az, or equatorially mounted systems.
  • The focuser is capable of lifting 40 lbs (18 kg) with a travel range of  0.6-inches (15,200 microns).
  • The Series-5 focuser can be stacked with the Series-5 rotator for a complete focusing rotator solution (combined 2.78″ of occupied backfocus).
  • Occupies only 1.675” of backfocus.
  • 464.4283 encoder counts per micron
  • Controlled via PWI4 software for autofocusing and optional field de-rotation (if using an Alt/Az mounted system).
  • Requires the Series-5 Controller.
  • Compatible with the DeltaRho 350 and RC700 telescopes.
$3,500.00
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Series-5 Rotator (Stackable with Series-5 Focuser)
  • The Series-5 rotator is a large-capacity rotator for use with Alt/Az, or equatorially mounted systems.
  • The rotator is capable of lifting 40 lbs (18 kg) with a travel range of 680 degrees between mechanical hardstops.
  • The Series-5 rotator can be stacked with the Series-5 focuser for a complete focusing rotator solution (combined 2.78″ of occupied back focus).
  • Occupies only 1.105” of back focus.
  • Controlled via PWI4 software for autofocusing and optional field de-rotation (if using an Alt/Az mounted system).
  • Requires the Series-5 Controller.
  • Compatible with DeltaRho and RC700 telescopes.
  • 3,637,531 encoder counts per rotation (10104.25 counts per degree, 2.806 counts per arcsecond).
  • *Series-5 rotator shown stacked with the focuser is sold separately.
$3,500.00
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IRF90 – Integrated Rotating Focuser
  • The IRF90 is a large capacity Integrated Focuser and Rotator for use with Alt/Az, or equatorially mounted systems.
  • Occupies 3.5″ of backfocus with the focuser fully racked in, and 4.7″ when fully racked out.
  • The Focuser is capable of lifting 40 lbs (18 kg) with a range of 30mm (30000 microns/1.2″).
  • The Rotator has a 90mm aperture with a range of 365 degrees with hardstops to eliminate any chance of cord wrap.
  • IRF90 is controlled via PWI3 software for autofocusing and optional field de-rotation (if using an Alt/Az mounted system).
$5,200.00