PlaneWave CDK700 0.7m f6.5 Nasmyth Astrograph Observatory Telescope System

Introduction

The PlaneWave CDK700 is a 0.7m fully automated observatory Alt-Az class telescope system for serious research.

PlaneWave CD700 being installed at the Alston Observatory at the University of Central Lancashire UK

PlaneWave are combining the revolutionary optical system that founded PlaneWave Instruments with a brand new innovative alt/az mount technology that sets a new standard for small professional observatory telescopes. 

CDK700 Optical Features

The Ritchey Chrétien (RC) optical design has long been "the standard" in high end imaging telescopes due to its use in many professional observatories. The RC is successful in eliminating many of the problems that plague many other optical designs, namely off-axis coma, however the RC design does nothing to eliminate the damaging effects of off-axis astigmatism and field curvature. The RC design is also very difficult, and therefore expensive, to manufacture and optically align. 

The CDK design tackles the "off-axis coma problem" by integrating a pair of correcting lenses into a two mirror design. The beauty is that this design also corrects for astigmatism and field curvature. Because the lenses are relatively close to the focal plane (unlike the Schmidt corrector plate found in various Schmidt Cassegrain designs), and because these lenses work together as a doublet, there is no chromatic aberration. The CDK offers a wide aberration-free, flat field of view that allows the user to take full advantage of the very large imaging chip cameras in the market place today.

In the image above, are two simulations showing the CDK700’s stunning optical performance.The left column is a spot diagram and the right column is a diffraction simulation. In both of the simulations the small squares are 9x9 microns, about the size of a typical CCD pixel. In the spot diagram 21mm off-axis the spot size is an incredible 4.4 microns RMS diameter. For 35mm off-axis, a 70mm image circle, the RMS spot size is 6.8microns. Both of the simulations take into consideration a flat field, which is a more accurate representation of how the optics would perform on a flat CCD camera chip.

Having an aberration free telescope design means nothing if the optics cannot be aligned properly. Many Ritchey owners never get to take full advantage of their instrument’s performance because the Ritchey is very difficult to collimate. Aligning the hyperbolic secondary mirror’s optical axis to the optical axis of the primary mirror is critical in the Ritchey design, and the tolerances are unforgiving. The secondary mirror of the CDK design is spherical. It has no optical axis and so the centering tolerance of the CDK secondary mirror is comparatively huge. With the help of some very simple tools, the CDK user will be able to set the secondary spacing, collimate the optics and begin enjoying the full performance potential the instrument has to offer within a few minutes.

CDK700 Key Features

CDK700 Schematic

The Nasmyth focus position is on the altitude axis which means that there is virtually no balancing issue when you add or change equipment (e.g. eyepieces or CCD camera/filter wheel etc). Furthermore, if the telescope is used visually, the eyepieces remain at a constant, and wheelchair-accessible, height. This simplifying access to the telescope for public observatory events.

Inside the telescope OTA, there is a rotating tertiary mirror that allows you to switch from one Nasmyth port to the other in just seconds, allowing observers to switch between eyepieces or imagers to easily transition between different imaging equipment. 

Internal Tertiary Mirror for Nasymth focus switching.

The PlaneWave direct drive motors mean that there are no gears to cause backlash and/or periodic error. With high-resolution encoders on both axes providing the feedback for the direct drive motors, not only will the telescope track without periodic error or have any backlash at all, but the mount will be able to counter against any wind gusts. The direct drive motors can move the telescope at incredible speeds for tracking satellites or just to minimise target acquisition time.

PlaneWave CDK700 altitude direct drive system

Specifications

OPTICAL SYSTEM

MECHANICAL STRUCTURE

MOTION CONTROL

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

PRIMARY MIRROR

SECONDARY MIRROR

TERTIARY MIRROR