PlaneWave RC24 Telescope
Price as Configured: $86,500.00
PlaneWave Instruments is pleased to offer the PW20-RC, a 24 inch (0.61 m) f/10.6 astrograph 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.
The PW24-RC has a dual carbon-fibre truss design, with 3 cooling fans ejecting air from the back of the telescope. The instrument weight is 108.9 kg and comes standard with a back plate retaining ring ready to accept the focuser of your choice. Delta-T Ready – Now the PW24-RC comes standard with built-in dew heaters for both primary and secondary mirror.
NOTE: Shipping cost will be determined after the order is made and must be paid for before the telescope will ship. A shipping quote can be obtained on request.
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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 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 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 |
