PlaneWave CDK24 Optical Tube Assembly
The CDK24 is an innovative telescope for unsurpassed astroimaging, research, or satellite tracking.
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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!
CDK24 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.
Cooling Fan
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.
Technical 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 |
14.349 inch (364.46 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 Crate
| 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) |
In the Box
| CDK24 Focus Spacer (240343-1) |
This 5.539″ 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) |
Manuals & Warranty
Downloads
Drawings & Diagrams
Camera adapters Diagram
Software
Instructions
Helpful Tools
