CDK17 f/6.8 Optical Tube Assembly
$22,500.00
CDK17 Optical Tube Assembly
The CDK17 from PlaneWave Instruments is a testament to advanced engineering and innovation, specifically designed for astrophotographers and astronomers seeking high-level performance. This telescope integrates PlaneWave’s precision optics and durable construction to provide exceptional image quality across various observational and scientific applications.
*Price excludes shipping and crating. See our crating and pricing policy for full details.
Key Features Overview
The CDK17 stands out with its robust specifications and features:
- 17-inch (432 mm) aperture
- 2939 mm focal length
- f/6.8 focal ratio
- 262.33 mm back focus from mourning 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
CDK17’s Key Features
Large Aperture and Moderate Focal Ratio
The CDK17 features a 432 mm aperture and an f/6.8 focal ratio. This combination enhances its capability to capture deep-sky objects with exceptional detail, offering excellent light-gathering efficiency and a broad field of view suitable for advanced research and high-quality imaging.
Advanced Optical Design
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Corrected Dall-Kirkham optical system, the CDK17 delivers outstanding image clarity. Its innovative design eliminates off-axis coma and astigmatism. It provides a perfectly flat field, ensuring images are sharp and detailed across the entire field of view with minimal need for post-processing.
Robust Mechanical Structure
Constructed with a carbon fiber optical tube, the CDK17 is lightweight and durable. Its design minimizes thermal expansion, ensuring minimal focus shift with temperature changes, making it ideal for extended observing sessions under varying environmental conditions.
High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Using fused silica mirrors, the CDK17 maintains precise optical alignment and surface accuracy, even amid temperature fluctuations. The high-quality coatings enhance light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing performance for specialized observational tasks.
Thermal Management
The CDK17 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 exceptional field flatness, the CDK17 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 CDK17 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 CDK17 excels in visual observation, offering bright and crisp views ideal for star parties and serious visual astronomy. The telescope's superior optical quality provides 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 CDK17 also lends itself to Space Situational Awareness and Space Domain Awareness applications. 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
CDK17 f/6.8 Optical Tube Assembly
Aperture | 432 mm (17") |
Focal Length | 2939 mm (115.71") |
Focal Ratio | f/6.8 |
Central Obstruction | 23.7% by surface area; 48.6% of the primary mirror diameter |
Back Focus from Mounting Surface | 10.32 in (262.33 mm) |
Back Focus from Racked in Focuser | 7.24 in (184 mm) |
Weight | 106 lbs (48 kg) |
OTA Length | 42 inch (1067 mm) |
Optical Design Performance | 6.5 micron rms at 21mm and 9.6 micron at 26mm off-axis |
Upper Cage | Carbon fiber truss |
Lower Cage | Carbon fiber truss and light shroud |
Image Circle Size | 70 mm |
Diameter | 105 mm (4.13") |
Coating | Broadband AR Coatings (less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700nm) |
Diameter | 190 mm (7.48") |
Material | Fused Silica (quartz) |
Shape | Spherical |
Coating | Enhanced Aluminum - 96% |
Optical Diameter | 432 mm (17") |
Outer Diameter | 445 mm (17.5") |
Shape | Prolate Ellipsoid |
Material | Fused Silica (quartz) |
Coating | Enhanced aluminum – 96% |
Included Items | Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller sold separately |
OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube | |
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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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. | $8,700.00 | ||
Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA) Kit |
| $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. | $140.00 – $790.00 | ||
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. | $400.00 | ||
IRF90 – Integrated Rotating Focuser |
| $5,200.00 | ||
Piggyback Dovetail Bars |
Please Note- For CDK17 users:
| $400.00 – $650.00 | ||
Hedrick Focuser |
| $1,150.00 | ||
L-500/L-600 Equatorial Wedge |
| $3,500.00 | ||
Visual Adapter – CDK17 | >This Visual Adapter for the CDK 17 allows you to attach standard 2″ visual accessories to the Hedrick Focuser.
| $160.00 | ||
Finderscope and Mounting Bracket | The back plate on all of the CDK models has four mounting positions for a finder mounting plate.
| $460.00 | ||
2 inch Mirror Diagonal |
| $394.00 | ||
Mounting Bracket for Finderscopes |
| $50.00 | ||
Reducer 0.66x CDK12.5/14/17 | This is a reducer designed specifically for flat field telescopes like the CDK. This reduces the f/ratio of the CDK telescope 66% and creates a 30mm illuminated field. The CDK12.5 f/8 telescope will be reduced down to f/5.3. | $1,400.00 |