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RC24 — 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly

SKU: 240123Q Categories: , ,

$86,500.00

The 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly (RC24) from PlaneWave Instruments is a masterpiece of optical engineering designed specifically for advanced astronomers and astrophotographers. Featuring a Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, the RC24 is perfect for producing sharp, high-contrast images, suited for a range of demanding observational and scientific applications.

*Price excludes shipping and crating. See our crating and pricing policy for full details.

Key Features Overview

The RC24 is celebrated for its outstanding specifications and features:

  • Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) optical design
  • 24-inch (610 mm) aperture
  • 6459 mm focal length
  • f/10.6 focal ratio
  • 394.24 mm back focus from mounting surface
  • Fused silica mirrors
  • Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly
  • Delta-T ready with built-in dew heaters for both primary and secondary mirrors
About the RC24 — 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly

RC24’s Key Features

Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics

The RC24 employs a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality hyperbolic mirrors free from refractive optics. This design ensures superior light throughput and excellent image fidelity across the entire field of view, minimizing chromatic aberration and maximizing contrast. This optical system is particularly effective for precise on-axis observations and is less concerned with wide-field imaging.

Robust Mechanical Structure

Constructed with a carbon fiber truss design, the RC24 maintains a lightweight yet durable framework that minimizes thermal expansion. This design ensures sustained optical alignment and structural integrity, making it easier to manage and adapt to various telescope mounts.

Advanced Thermal Management

The RC24 is equipped with integrated cooling fans and thermal management systems that expedite reaching thermal equilibrium. This setup significantly reduces air turbulence inside the telescope tube, thus minimizing image distortion caused by temperature fluctuations and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.

Application-Specific Benefits

Astrophotography

With its large aperture and high-quality optics, the RC24 enables astrophotographers to capture detailed and vivid images of deep-sky wonders, making it an exceptional instrument for capturing expansive galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial phenomena.

Astronomy Research

The RC24 is an indispensable tool for academic institutions and observatories engaged in high-level astronomical research. Its precise imaging capabilities facilitate detailed studies such as spectral analysis, light curve acquisition, and other advanced scientific endeavors.

Specifications

RC24 — 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly

OPTICAL SYSTEMS
SECONDARY MIRROR
PRIMARY MIRROR
included items
Aperture 610 mm (24")
Focal Length 6469 mm (255")
Focal Ratio f/10.6
Central Obstruction 32% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
Back Focus from Mounting Surface 394.24 mm (15.6")
Back Focus from Racked in Focuser 185.4 mm (7.3")
Weight 240 lbs (108.9 kg)
OTA Length 1422 mm (56")
Upper Cage Carbon Fiber Truss
Lower Cage Carbon Fiber Truss with Aluminum Light Shroud
Diameter 175 mm (6.89")
Material Fused Silica
Shape Hyperbolic
Coating Enhanced Aluminum - 96%
Optical Diameter 610 mm (24")
Outer Diameter 622 mm (24.5")
Shape Hyperbolic
Material Fused Silica
Coating Enhanced Aluminum - 96%
Included Items CDK24 Focus Spacer (240343-1) - This 5.539″ long spacer is installed between the backplate and the focuser to take up some of the CDK24’s extra backfocus and reduce the torque placed on the focuser mechanism. This spacer is sized such that the backfocus distance behind the focuser is 8.8″.
Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller sold separately
Primary Mirror Cover - To protect the primary mirror
Flashdrive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror
Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)

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*Price excludes shipping and crating. See our crating and pricing policy for full details.

Key Features Overview

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Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA) Kit
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  • Ensure you have the proper EFA kit selected for your telescope below.
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Fabric Light Shroud

This is a spandex fabric light shroud that blocks out stray light and minimizes dust on the primary mirror.

Available for the CDK14, CDK17, CDK20, CDK24, and CDK700.

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Delta T Heater
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  • CDK12.5 to CDK24 and CDK700 telescopes come with primary and secondary mirror dew heating pads (CDK700 adds tertiary mirror heating), which are ready to accept the Delta T controller.
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Telescope Dovetail Saddles

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Piggyback Dovetail Bars
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Please Note- For CDK17 users:

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Hedrick Focuser
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L-500/L-600 Equatorial Wedge
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IRF90 2-Inch Visual Adapter

The IRF90 to 2″ Visual Accessory Adapter allows you to attach a 2″ mirror diagonal and eyepiece to your IRF90 rotating focuser.  Used in conjunction with other PlaneWave adapters to space your eyepiece at the optimal position for your CDK model.

See the adapter diagram (under the Downloads tab) for more information on the adapters needed for your CDK.

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Finderscope and Mounting Bracket

The back plate on all of the CDK models has four mounting positions for a finder mounting plate.

  • The finder mounting plate attaches to the back plate of the telescope and the quick-release finder bracket attaches to the mounting plate.
  • If the telescope is used on a German Equatorial mount it may be convenient to purchase two finder scopes, one for the east and one for the west side of the telescope.
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2 inch Mirror Diagonal
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Mounting Bracket for Finderscopes
  • This is an L-shaped bracket that attaches in four different places on the back of any of the CDK models.
  • This is used to mount a finderscope or some other accessory.
  • Two 1/4-20 screws provided attach the bracket to the backplate of the telescope and two 10-32 threaded holes spaced at 1.450″ can be used to mount accessories too.
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