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24 inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly

SKU# 240123Q

Price: $86,500.00

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Description

Delta-T Ready – Now the CDK24 and RC24 comes standard with built-in dew heaters for both primary and secondary mirror. A $550 value!

Introducing the PlaneWave Instruments PW24-RC, a 24-inch (0.61 m) telescope with Ritchey-Chrétien optics. PlaneWave’s CDK astrographs have become the telescopes of choice for universities, industry, and astrophotographers around the world, and now PlaneWave offers the PW-RC series to meet the custom needs of the scientific community.

The PW24-RC in its native format (no field flattening lenses) uses only a primary and secondary mirror with reflective coatings. This can be useful when making observations primarily off-axis and wide-field imaging is not a concern.

Features:

Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) Optics

Fused silica RC optics made by PlaneWave for excellent off-axis performance using only a hyperbolic primary and secondary mirror with no refractive optics in the light path. 

Carbon Fiber Truss Design

Minimizes thermal expansion to prevent focus shift with changes in temperature.

Dovetail expansion joint

Accommodates the difference in thermal expansion between carbon fiber and aluminum. The expansion joint allows the aluminum dovetail to expand and contract without stressing the carbon fiber lower truss. 

Cooling Fans

Three cooling fans blow out the back of the optical tube, pulling air through the telescope and past the primary mirror. This helps the telescope to reach thermal equilibrium quickly. The fans are controlled by a computer if the optional Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA Kit) is purchased. 

Specifications

Specifications

Optical System

Optical DesignRitchey-Chrétien (RC)
Aperture24 inch (610 mm)
Focal Length6469 mm (254.68 inch)
Focal ratioF/10.6
Central Obstruction30% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
Back Focus from Mounting Surface10.3 inch (261.6 mm)
Back Focus from Racked in Focuser7.3 inch (185.4 mm)
Weight240 lbs (108.9 kg)
OTA Length56 inch (1,422 mm)
Upper CageCarbon Fiber Truss
Lower CageCarbon Fiber Truss with Aluminum Light Shroud
OTA Width31 inch (787 mm)
OTA Height35 inch (889 mm)

Secondary Mirror

Diameter6.89 inch (175 mm)
MaterialFused Silica
ShapeHyperbolic
CoatingEnhanced Aluminum – 96%

Primary Mirror

Optical Diameter24 inch (610 mm)
Outer Diameter24.5 inch (622 mm)
ShapeHyperbolic
MaterialFused Silica
CoatingEnhanced Aluminum – 96%

 Shipping

Crated Shipping Weight500 lbs   (226.8 kg)
Crate Width40 inch   (1,016 mm)
Crate Height48 inch   (1,219 mm)
Crate Length78 inch   (1,981 mm)

Included Accessories

CDK24 Focus Spacer (240343)This 5.3″ long spacer may be 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 will match that of the CDK20.
Primary Mirror CoverThe Primary Mirror Cover protects the primary mirror.
Planewave thumb driveIncludes instructions for Collimation and Spacing and software.
12VDC Power SupplyProvides power for the fans (Not included for European Orders)
Wrench Set (5812A35)English Hex Wrenches (European Orders Only)

For warranty information please check our Standard Warranty Page

Downloads

Downloads