PlaneWave CDK24 ASTROGRAPH F/6.5 WITH FUSED SILICA OPTICS

The CDK24 is a 24 inch (0.61 m) f/6.5 Corrected Dall-Kirkham Astrograph telescope. The CDK24 covers a 70 mm field of view without any field curvature, off-axis coma, or astigmatism. The instrument weight is 240 lbs (109 kg) and comes standard with a back plate retaining ring ready to accept the focuser of your choice.

The abbreviation CDK stands for the optical system of the PlaneWave astrographs - a Dall Kirkham Cassegrain with a optical correction unit. The CDK design far exceeds the off-axis performance of most commercial telescope designs including the Ritchey-Chrétien design.

• CDK24 Astrograph, 24 inch with Fused Silica Optics
• modified to Dall-Kirkham, 610 mm aperture and 70 mm field of view without any curvature, off-axis coma, or astigmatism
• local length 3.962 mm (f/6.5)
• Delta T Ready, 3,5" Hedrick Focuser and EFA Kit separately available

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.