Planewave - Delta Rho 500 L-550 Telescope

The Planewave Delta Rho 500 L-550 Telescope represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the Planewave DeltaRho 350, and is specifically engineered to cater to the demands of ultra-wide field imaging on a larger scale. Noteworthy improvements include a fixed primary mirror for enhanced stability, and achieving precise collimation is made effortlessly by adjusting the tip and tilt of the secondary mirror.

Distinguishing itself with more than double the light-gathering power of the DeltaRho 350, the DeltaRho 500 presents astronomers with an upgraded platform for optimizing astrograph performance. Its strategic design situates the imaging train to the rear, ensuring minimal obstructions and facilitating seamless compatibility with filter wheels and larger camera sensors, such as those with a 52mm frame.

Operating at a swift focal ratio of f/3, the DeltaRho 500 excels in wide field astrophotography, particularly well-suited for capturing low surface brightness objects spanning a larger angular size. With an expansive 2° field of view, the images obtained through its advanced optics exhibit edge-to-edge sharpness, a notable improvement compared to the CDK20.

The Planewave optic team employs cutting-edge techniques and tools to deliver impeccable image quality. Single mirror collimation, 3D printed baffles for stray light management, and finite element analysis for structural scrutiny are among the meticulously implemented measures. The result is flawlessly flat images that boast high quality and sharpness, establishing the Planewave DeltaRho 500 as a top-tier choice for astronomers seeking superior performance in the realm of ultra-wide field astrophotography on a larger scale.

For the Delta Rho 500 the focal plane distance from the back plate of the telescope is 9.166” (232.816 mm), the XL focuser consumes 1.675" (42.545 mm) of back focus, while the Series 5 XL Rotator consumes 1.105" (28.07 mm) of backfocus. A spacer must be installed between the rotator and XL focuser with an additional 0.5". In the case of the tip tilt adapter, another 0.25" of backfocus is consumed, resulting in a remaining 5.63" of backfocus.

You’ll also need to include instrument adapters, which can vary.

• The Planewave DeltaRho 500 is an upgraded version of the DeltaRho 350, designed for ultra-wide field imaging on a larger scale.
• It has a fixed primary mirror and collimation can be easily achieved by adjusting the tip and tilt of the secondary mirror.
• The DeltaRho 500 has more than double the light-gathering power of the DeltaRho 350, making it easier to optimize the performance of the astrograph.
• Its imaging train is located to the rear, avoiding obstructions and making it easier to use with filter wheels and larger camera sensors such as 52mm frame.
• With a fast focal ratio of f/3, it excels in wide field astrophotography and is preferred for low surface brightness objects that extend throughout a larger angular size.
• It captures a 2° field of view with sharpness from edge to edge when using a 52mm format sensor, which is more than double than what is seen through the CDK20.
• The images obtained through the Planewave DeltaRho 500 are flawlessly flat, and of high quality and sharpness thanks to the techniques and tools implemented by the Planewave optic team, including single mirror collimation, stray light management with 3D printed baffles, and finite element analysis for structural scrutiny.

The Planewave DeltaRho 500, which is an upgrade from the DeltaRho 350, is now available for ultra-wide field imaging on a more intense scale. It has a fixed primary mirror and collimation can be achieved easily by adjusting the tip and tilt of the secondary mirror. The DeltaRho 500 has more than double the light-gathering power of the DeltaRho 350, making it easier to optimize the performance of the astrograph.

A cutting edge advantage of the DeltaRho 500 Astrograph is the location of the imaging train being to the rear to obstruction doesn't occur. This opens up the door for easier use with filter wheels are larger camera sensors which would be out of reach in prime focus designs. With a fast focal ratio of f/3, it excels for wide field astrophotography and is a preferred optical choice for low surface brightness objects that extend throughout a long angular size, hence wide field. When using a 52mm format sensor, a 2° field of view is captured with sharpness acquired from edge to edge of the field. This is more than double than would be seen through the CDK20.

With a flawlessly flat field, the images obtained through the PlaneWave DeltaRho 500 will be absolutely immaculate in quality and sharpness. This is owed to the combined years of experience from the Planewave optic team who implemented techniques and tools like single mirror collimation, stray light management with 3D printed baffles as well as finite element analysis for structural scrutiny.

• Optical Design: Corrected Cassegrain
• Aperture: 20"
• Focal Length: 1537mm
• Focal Ratio: f/3
• Central Obstruction: 59% by diameter
• Back Focus from Mounting Surface (No focuser/rotator installed): 9.166 in (232.8 mm) from mounting surface; 7.271 inch (184.7 mm) from lens cell
• Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
• OTA Length: 35.1 inch (892 mm)
• Optical Performance (Spot Diameter): 3.86 micron RMS on-axis, 4.04 micron RMS at 22 mm off-axis, and 6.04 micron RMS at 35 mm off-axis (Spot Diameters)
• Telescope Cage: Carbon fiber truss poles with carbon fiber shroud
• Optimal Field of View: 70mm image circle
• Primary Mirror Optical Diameter: 20 inch (508 mm)
• Primary Mirror Outer Diameter: 20.8 inch (528 mm)
• Primary Mirror Shape: Prolate ellipsoid
• Primary Mirror Material: Fused silica (quartz)
• Primary Mirror Coating: Enhanced aluminum – 96%
• Secondary Mirror Diameter: 286 mm (11.26 inch)
• Secondary Mirror Material: Fused silica (quartz)
• Secondary Mirror Shape: Spherical
• Secondary Mirror Coating: Enhanced aluminum – 96%
• Lens Group Diameter: 160 mm (6.3 inch) Largest Lens
• Number of lenses: Three
• Lens Coatings: Broadband AR Coatings (on avg. less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700 nm)