About PlaneWave Instruments

For over a decade, PlaneWave Instruments brings its unique brand of craftsmanship to amateur and professional astronomers with a full line of telescopes and related products which withstand the test of real-world (and out-of-this-world) usage.

Founded in 2006 by former Celestron engineers Richard Hedrick and Joseph Haberman, our company provides customers with the finest equipment, following the most exacting standards, and innovative design practices. All of our products—whether for backyard viewing, or exploring the heavens at the observatory level—are created with the same attention to detail and functionality that has come to be a PlaneWave hallmark.

PlaneWave is an industry trendsetter, developing the revolutionary Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) telescope optical system. This apparatus, which works with large-format CCD/sCMOS cameras to capture sharp, detailed images of the sky, is also a great tool for visual observation.

Its sophistication and economy make this a great example of the value and quality all PlaneWave instruments offer. You can find this groundbreaking system in our line of Richey-Chretien observatory telescopes, adding a new dimension to professional, scientific investigations of the cosmos. Other, smaller telescopes also feature the CDK system, offering an attractive option for collegiate or commercial users, with the same cutting-edge technology enjoyed by the big observatories.

In addition to these fine instruments, PlaneWave also completes your needs with a selection of mounting apparatus, including direct-drive and fork mounts. These precision platforms give you the flexibility and stability you need to focus on the work of discovery and enlightenment. Capturing photographic and video records of your observations is another area in which PlaneWave excels. With Andor, FLI, and SBIG cameras, we provide the means to document your findings in the highest clarity. The optical resolution of these devices affords you the best possible imaging, in every application.

Rounding out PlaneWave’s product repertoire, are a wide selection of accessories to complement your equipment, from counterweights to focusers, for a full, one-stop source that meets all your everyday and long-term astronomy requirements.

Our company has a proven track record of experience at all levels of the industry, including low-earth-orbit (LEO) collision-avoidance projects, and equipping major observatories, such as the Great Basin facility. Notable PlaneWave clients include Harvard University, CalTech, NASA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the Smithsonian Institution. This has enabled PlaneWave to attract the top talent in the industry, chosen from among the best electrical, mechanical, and software engineers in the world.

We cordially invite you to explore the pages of this website, and learn about the exciting world of PlaneWave Instruments for yourself. Here you’ll find the most up-to-date, accurate, and advanced tools and supporting equipment you need to accomplish all your objectives. Whether you’re looking deeply into the vastness of our limitless universe, keeping near-Earth space safe for orbiting spacecraft and satellites, educating the next generation of emerging astronomers, or spending a quiet evening at home gazing upward at the constellations, PlaneWave is your guide and source. Let us take you there!