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Description
Delta-T Ready – Now the 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 on-axis and wide field imaging is not a concern.
Features:
Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) Optics
Fused silica RC optics made by PlaneWave for excellent on-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
Optical System
Optical Design
Ritchey-Chrétien (RC)
Aperture
24 inch (610 mm)
Focal Length
6469 mm (254.68 inch)
Focal ratio
F/10.6
Central Obstruction
30% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
Back Focus from Mounting Surface
10.3 inch (261.6 mm)
Back Focus from Racked in Focuser
7.3 inch (185.4 mm)
Weight
240 lbs (108.9 kg)
OTA Length
56 inch (1,422 mm)
Upper Cage
Carbon Fiber Truss
Lower Cage
Carbon Fiber Truss with Aluminum Light Shroud
OTA Width
31 inch (787 mm)
OTA Height
35 inch (889 mm)
Secondary Mirror
Diameter
6.89 inch (175 mm)
Material
Fused Silica
Shape
Hyperbolic
Coating
Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
Primary Mirror
Optical Diameter
24 inch (610 mm)
Outer Diameter
24.5 inch (622 mm)
Shape
Hyperbolic
Material
Fused Silica
Coating
Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
Shipping
Crated Shipping Weight
500 lbs (226.8 kg)
Crate Width
40 inch (1,016 mm)
Crate Height
48 inch (1,219 mm)
Crate Length
78 inch (1,981 mm)
Included Items
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 Cover
The Primary Mirror Cover protects the primary mirror.
Planewave thumb drive
Includes instructions for Collimation and Spacing and software.
12VDC Power Supply
Provides power for the fans (Not included for European Orders)
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