Planewave CDK24 Optical Tube Assembly

Name: Planewave CDK24 Optical Tube Assembly
Brand: Planewave Instruments
SKU: 240104Q
Price: 63500.0 USD
Availability: InStock

by Planewave Instruments

SKU 240104Q

$63,500.00 - $63,500.00

$63,500.00

$63,500.00 - $63,500.00

$63,500.00

CDK24, 24" F/6.5 CDK OPTICAL TUBE, FUSED SILICA MIRRORS, FOCUSER NOT INCLUDED, DELTA-T READY

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Description

The CDK24 is an innovative telescope for unsurpassed astroimaging, research, or satellite tracking.

f/6.5 and 3974mm focal length.
No coma, no off-axis astigmatism, and no field curvature.
Pinpoint stars across a 70mm image circle.
Rock solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion.
Carbon fiber optical tube assembly for rigidity and fast cooling.
Simple secondary mirror collimation thanks to the fixed primary mirror.
Bright, crisp, views for visual observing and star parties.

Capturing the most stunning astrophotographs possible is something our team is passionate about. From design to manufacture, our goal with the Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) 24″ telescope was centered around performance and ease of use. The CDK24 is an incredible breakthrough in telescope technology and produces no off-axis coma and no off-axis astigmatism. Additionally, the CDK24 provides a perfectly flat field so your astrophotographs will have stunning clarity from corner to corner of the image without field curvature degrading the photos. Offering the simplicity of single-mirror collimation, the stray light control of advanced baffles, structural performance created through finite element analysis (FEA), and decades of telescope design experience, the CDK24 is an exceptional diffraction-limited telescope. CDK24 users can experience pinpoint stars edge-to-edge and a 45 x 45 arcminute field of view when using large 16803 size camera sensors. When equipment fades into the background and simply performs, the astrophotography experience becomes even more fun and rewarding!

Features

	Fused Silica Optics
	Fused silica (quartz) has a coefficient of thermal expansion six times lower than Borosilicate (Pyrex) glass, which means that as it cools down, fused silica preserves its shape to a high degree of accuracy. This translates into consistent optical performance and unchanging focus as temperature changes.
	Delta-T Ready
	For added dew prevention, the CDK24 is internally wired with polyimide film heater pads and temperature sensor, which is ready to be controlled with the Delta-T via PlaneWave Interface 3 software.
	Carbon Fiber Truss Design
	Minimizes thermal expansion which causes focus shift as temperature changes during an imaging session. Carbon fiber also reaches ambient temperatures quickly and is extremely lightweight and rigid to help ensure excellent imaging data is produced.
	3D Printed Baffles
	PlaneWave uses digital 3D printing technology to produce lightweight baffle tubes. 3D printers add successive layers of material to construct a baffle system with precision positioned internal stray light baffles to minimize vignetting and maximize image contrast. Quality baffling makes an incredible difference in overall image quality, so we ensured an optimal design was created for our telescopes.
	Dovetail expansion joint
	Allows for 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. This results in images that are not distorted due to expansion, or contraction of the optical tube materials.
	Cooling Fans
	Three fans on the backplate of the optical tube pull air through the telescope and by the primary mirror. Three fans on the side of the optical tube also blow air across the primary to ensure a boundary layer of air does not distort images. These fans help the telescope reach thermal equilibrium quickly, further reducing any distortion in images due to temperature variations. The fans are controlled by a switch on the optical tube, or can be controlled by via PWI3 software if a PlaneWave Electronic Focus Accessory (EFA Kit) is purchased.

Specifications

Optical System

Aperture	24 inch (610 mm)
Focal Length	3974 mm (156.46 inch)
Focal ratio	F/6.5
Central Obstruction	47% of the primary mirror diameter
Back Focus from Mounting Surface	14.1 inch (358 mm)
Back Focus from Racked in Focuser	5.81 inch (148 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)
Optimal Field of View	70 mm image circle

Secondary Mirror

Diameter	11 inch (280 mm)
Material	Fused silica (quartz)
Shape	Spherical
Coating	Enhanced aluminum – 96%

Primary Mirror

Optical Diameter	24 inch (610 mm)
Outer Diameter	24.5 inch (622 mm)
Shape	Prolate Ellipsoid
Material	Fused silica (quartz)
Coating	Enhanced aluminum – 96%

Lens Group

Diameter	135 mm (5.31 inch)
Number of lenses	2
Coating	Broadband AR Coatings (less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700nm)

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 Accessories

CDK24 Focus Spacer (240343)	This 5.3″ 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″.
Primary Mirror Cover	To protect the primary mirror
PlaneWave Thumb Drive	Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror
12VDC Power Supply	Provides power for the fans (Not included for European orders)
Wrench Set (5812A35)	Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)

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)