CDK24 f/6.5 Optical Tube Assembly
$73,000.00
CDK24 Optical Tube Assembly
The CDK24 from PlaneWave Instruments embodies a blend of precision engineering and innovation, tailored for the dedicated astrophotographer and the discerning astronomer. With its advanced technology and meticulous design, the CDK24 delivers high-quality images for various advanced observational and scientific applications.
*Price excludes shipping and crating. See our crating and pricing policy for full details.
Key Features Overview
Its remarkable specifications and features distinguish the CDK24:
- 24-inch (610 mm) aperture
- 3974 mm focal length
- f/6.5 focal ratio
- 364.46 mm (14.349″)Â back focus from mounting surface
- Perfectly flat field across the entire 70mm image circle
- No off-axis coma or astigmatism
- Rock-solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion
- Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly
CDK24’s Key Features
Large Aperture and Moderate Focal Ratio
The CDK24 features a substantial 610 mm aperture and a moderate f/6.5 focal ratio. This setup enhances its capability to capture deep-sky objects with remarkable detail, providing excellent light-gathering efficiency and a broad field of view for research and imaging.
Advanced Optical Design
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Corrected Dall-Kirkham optical system, the CDK24 offers exceptional image clarity. Its design eliminates off-axis coma and astigmatism and delivers a perfectly flat field, ensuring images are sharp and detailed across the entire field of view with minimal post-processing adjustments.
Robust Mechanical Structure
Constructed with a carbon fiber optical tube, the CDK24 is lightweight and durable. Its thermal expansion coefficient ensures minimal focus shift as temperatures change, making it ideal for prolonged observing sessions under varying environmental conditions.
High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Utilizing fused silica mirrors, the CDK24 maintains precise optical alignment and surface accuracy, even with temperature fluctuations. Its high-quality coatings enhance light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing performance for specialized observational tasks.
Thermal Management
The CDK24 is equipped with cooling fans and a Delta-T ready system to achieve thermal equilibrium swiftly. These features help to minimize air turbulence within the tube, thus reducing image distortion and maintaining consistent imaging quality.
Integrated Dew Control
The telescope incorporates advanced dew prevention technology with heater pads controlled by PlaneWave’s software. This ensures that optical surfaces remain clear of condensation during humid conditions, thus maintaining clear and consistent imaging performance.
Application-Specific Benefits
Astrophotography
With its large image circle and exquisite field flatness, the CDK24 allows astrophotographers to capture expansive and breathtaking views of the cosmos with incredible detail and clarity.
Astronomy Research
The precise and stable imaging capabilities of the CDK24 make it an invaluable tool for academic institutions and observatories engaged in complex astronomical research, including deep-sky surveys and detailed photometric studies.
Visual Observations
The CDK24 excels in visual observation, offering bright and crisp views ideal for star parties and serious visual astronomy. The telescope's large aperture and superior optical quality provide stunning views of planetary, lunar, and deep-sky objects, making every viewing session a remarkable experience.
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
The CDK24 also lend itself to applications in Space Situational Awareness and Space Domain Awareness. Its capability to provide detailed observations can be essential for tracking and monitoring satellites and other space debris, contributing valuable data for space traffic management and safety initiatives.
Specifications
CDK24 f/6.5 Optical Tube Assembly
| Aperture | 610 mm (24") |
| Focal Length | 3974 mm (156") |
| Focal Ratio | f/6.5 |
| Central Obstruction | 47% of the primary mirror diameter |
| Back Focus from Mounting Surface | 364.46 mm (14.349") |
| Weight | 240 lbs (108.9 kg) |
| OTA Length | 1422 mm (56") |
| Optical Design Performance | 2.4-micron RMS on-axis, 4.0-micron RMS at 26 mm off-axis, 4.8-micron at 35 mm off-axis |
| Upper Cage | Carbon fiber truss |
| Lower Cage | Carbon fiber truss with aluminum light shroud |
| Image Circle Size | 70 mm |
| Diameter | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Coating | Broadband AR Coatings (less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700 nm) |
| Diameter | 280 mm (11") |
| Material | Fused silica (quartz) |
| Shape | Spherical |
| Coating | Enhanced aluminum – 96% |
| Optical Diameter | 610 mm (24") |
| Outer Diameter | 622 mm (24.5") |
| Shape | Prolate Ellipsoid |
| 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) | |
Recommended Products
| Image | Name | Summary | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Solid Aluminum Shrouds | Enhance the protection of your telescope’s primary mirror with our Solid Aluminum Shrouds. Specifically designed for OTAs like the CDK14, CDK17, CDK20, and CDK24, these ruggedized shrouds offer debris and light mitigation ensuring optimal optical performance.
*Factory installation required for all OTAs | $690.00 – $1,323.00 | |
 | L-600 Direct-Drive Telescope Mount | The PlaneWave L-600 Direct Drive Mount represents the pinnacle of engineering excellence, designed to meet the rigorous demands of astrophotography enthusiasts and advanced astronomy researchers. This mount, a key component in our L-Series, integrates superior technology to provide an unparalleled observational platform. *Price excludes shipping and crating. See our crating and pricing policy for full details. Key Features OverviewThe L-600 stands out with its notable specifications and features:
| $40,000.00 | |
 | Portable Rolling Pier | Don’t let bad weather stop you from enjoying your L-Series Mount every clear night. The Portable Rolling Pier lets you move your L-series Mount and telescope to the best spot for stargazing in no time. Just grab the steering T-handle and roll it wherever you want! With the auto-mount modeling feature in our PWI software, your L-Mount will be ready to capture amazing night sky images in minutes. | $10,000.00 | |
 | Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA) Kit |
*If the EFA is not purchased, the ability to automate temperature regulation for the primary mirror will be lost. This is especially significant when using a third-party focuser, as the EFA is required for full automation. | $920.00 – $1,150.00 | |
 | 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. | $160.00 – $900.00 | |
 | Delta T Heater |
| $750.00 | |
 | Telescope Dovetail Saddles | The Keller EZ Saddle (600182) accepts Losmandy D-style dovetail rails such as the CDK12.5, CDK14, and DeltaRho 350. This saddle comes standard with the L-350 mount and can also be attached to the outside arm of any L-series mount for dual-mounted OTA configurations. The PlaneWave Wide Saddle (200919) comes standard with L-500, L-550, and L-600 mounts for securing CDK17, CDK 20, CDK24, and DeltaRho 500 telescopes. | $460.00 | |
 | IRF90 – Integrated Rotating Focuser |
| $5,980.00 | |
 | Piggyback Dovetail Bars |
Please Note- For CDK17 users:
| $460.00 – $748.00 | |
 | Hedrick Focuser |
| $1,325.00 | |
 | L-500/L-600 Equatorial Wedge |
| $4,000.00 | |
 | Visual Adapter – CDK20/24 | This 3.5″-2″ Visual Adapter, for the CDK20 and CDK24, slides into the optional 3.5″ Hedrick Focuser.
| $184.00 | |
 | Finderscope and Mounting Bracket | The back plate on all of the CDK models has four mounting positions for a finder mounting plate.
| $530.00 | |
 | 2 inch Mirror Diagonal |
| $368.00 | |
 | CDK/RC 24 Primary Mirror Shutter | Safeguard your CDK24 or RC24s primary mirror from dust and moisture with the PlaneWave Primary Mirror Shutter. This 4-petal shutter cover seamlessly attaches to the mid-ring of the CDK/RC24, providing reliable protection. For enhanced performance, pair it with the Fabric Light Shroud, and Cover Spacers to help reduce stray light and further shield against unwanted dust. | $6,670.00 | |
 | Shroud and Mirror Cover Spacers |
| $360.00 – $1,970.00 | |
 | Mounting Bracket for Finderscopes |
| $58.00 | |
 | Reducer 0.66x CDK20 / CDK24 | This reducer is specifically crafted for telescopes with a flat image field, such as CDKs, reducing the aperture ratio to 66% for faster imaging and enhanced optical performance. | $1,600.00 |
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