Planewave DeltaRho 500 f/3.03 Optical Tube Assembly

The DeltaRho 500 from PlaneWave Instruments is a testament to innovation, designed for the serious astronomer and astrophotographer. Crafted with a dedication to excellence, the DeltaRho 500 offers advanced features for elite imaging, providing unparalleled versatility for a broad range of scientific and communicative applications.

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Key Features Overview

The DeltaRho 500 stands out with its exceptional features:

• Large 508mm (20 inch) aperture
• 1537 mm focal length
• Fast f/3.03 focal ratio
• 70mm image circle (>2.6 degrees)
• 232.8 mm back focus from mounting surface; 147.6 mm with Series-5XL Focuser and Rotator
  • The Extension Spacer is required only when the Series-5XL Focuser and the Series-5 Rotator are used in conjunction. 
• Advanced corrected Cassegrain focus optical design
• Robust carbon fiber tube construction
• About the DeltaRho 500 f/3.03 Optical Tube Assembly

  DeltaRho 500’s Key Features

  Large Aperture and Fast Focal Ratio

  The DeltaRho 500 boasts a 508 mm aperture and a fast f/3.03 focal ratio. This powerful combination enhances light-gathering capability and speeds up image capture, which is ideal for detailed SSA/SDA object capture and expansive deep-sky imaging.

  Advanced Optical Design

  Featuring a state-of-the-art corrected Cassegrain focus optical system, the DeltaRho 500 delivers unparalleled image clarity. Experience sharp, flat fields across the entire field of view without any curvature, enabling stellar images with minimal need for post-processing.

  Mechanical Structure

  Constructed from lightweight yet durable carbon fiber, the DeltaRho 500 offers superior durability and stability. It minimizes thermal expansion, maintaining optimal image quality under diverse environmental conditions.

  High-Performance Coatings

  The telescope includes high-quality mirror coatings that can be tailored to meet specific observational needs. It optimizes light transmission and minimizes stray light, enhancing the telescope's performance for specialized tasks such as SSA/SDA.

  Collimation Software

  The DeltaRho 500 is equipped with user-friendly collimation software designed to ensure optimal alignment of optical elements quickly and accurately. This feature is crucial for maintaining the high resolution and sharpness needed for professional-level imaging and research, allowing users to adjust collimation on the fly.

  Dew Control

  Integrated dew control systems in the DeltaRho 500 utilize advanced heater technology to prevent condensation on optical surfaces. This system ensures that observations and imaging sessions are not interrupted by dew, providing consistent clarity and performance in a variety of environmental conditions.

  Application-Specific Benefits

  Astrophotography

  With its quick exposure times and large field of view, the DeltaRho 500 allows astrophotographers to capture breathtaking night sky images with extraordinary detail and clarity.

  Astronomy Research

  The robust construction and superior optics of the DeltaRho 500 make it an invaluable resource for universities and research institutions committed to conducting in-depth astronomical research.

  Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

  The DeltaRho 500's fast focal ratio and extensive image circle enable shorter exposures and the use of larger sensors, making it exceptionally suited for surveying vast areas of the sky. This capability is critical for efficiently monitoring and cataloging space debris and satellites.

  Aperture	20 in (508 mm)
  Focal Length	60.5 in (1537 mm)
  Focal Ratio	f/3
  Central Obstruction	59 % by diameter
  Back Focus from Mounting Surface	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 Design Performance	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
  Upper Cage	Carbon fiber truss poles with carbon fiber shroud
  Image Circle Size	70 mm

  Diameter	6.3 inch (160 mm)
  Coating	Broadband AR Coatings (on avg. less than .5% reflected from 400 to 700 nm)

  Diameter286 mm (11.26 in)MaterialFused silica (quartz)ShapeSphericalCoatingEnhanced aluminum – 96%

  Optical Diameter	20 in (508 mm)
  Outer Diameter	20.8 in (528 mm)
  Shape	Prolate ellipsoid
  Material	Fused Silica (quartz)
  Coating	Enhanced aluminum – 96%

  Included Items	Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller sold separately
  	OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube
  	Flashdrive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror
  	Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)