Planewave Europe

Features

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.

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.

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.

Fused Silica

Fused Silica is a synthetic amorphous silica glass of the highest purity and one of the most transparent glasses made. The optical and thermal properties of fused silica are superior to other types of glass due to its purity. Its transmission and homogeneity exceed those of crystalline quartz without the problems of temperature instability inherent in the crystalline form. Fused Silica has a coefficient of thermal expansion six times lower than Borosilicate (Pyrex) glass, which means that as fused silica cools down, it preserves its shape to a high degree of accuracy. This translates into consistent optical performance and unchanging focus over temperature changes. With its high melting temperature ()~ 1.600 degree Celsius), a very low coefficient of thermal expansion and resistance to thermal shock, fused silica is the material of choice for professional observatories as well as various scientific applications.

Scope of delivery

Heating elements for dew prevention – The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the #1329110 Delta-T controller sold separately
OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube
Flashdrive – Contains software and ins tructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror
Wrench Set(5812A35) – Standard hex wrench (European orders only)
Soft cover for secondary mirror
12v AC adapter
Back plate to focuser spacer (attached)

Shipping: dimensions and weight

Width

40 inch (1,016 mm)

Height

48 inch (1,219 mm)

Length

78 inch (1,981 mm)

Weight

500 lbs (226.8 kg)

The information is only a rough estimate! The actual shipping dimensions and weight may differ.

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