PLANEWAVE DELTA RHO 500 f/3.03

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The PlaneWave Delta Rho 500 f/3.03 is an elite widefield astrograph designed for a broad range of applications including Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), professional astronomy research and deep sky astrophotography.

With rock-solid fused silica mirrors, carbon fibre construction and an advanced baffled 70mm corrected image circle, the Delta Rho 500 is the capable of capturing the most stunning astrophotographs possible.

The Cassegrain focus f/3.03 astrograph has an aperture of 508mm (20") and has a focal length of 1537mm. Additionally, the Delta Rho 500 provides a huge 70mm corrected image circle so your astrophotographs will have stunning clarity from corner to corner of the image without field curvature degrading the photos.

Being a fast imaging system, the Delta Rho has a fixed primary mirror, similar to the CDK series. In addition, the new PlaneWave-designed Series 5 ultra-short derotator and focuser includes a tip/tilt adapter, making tilt adjustment very easy.

As Australia's PlaneWave experts, we can supply all the components necessary for utilizing complex imaging trains as well as the Prima Luce Lab Esatto and Arco with a custom adapter.

Collimation is extremely straightforward, needing only simple adjustment of the three secondary mirror collimation screws. Multiple cooling fans on the telescope's backplate and sides of the optical tube allow the mirrors to quickly reach thermal equilibrium.

Note: The Delta Rho 500 requires extra crating (not included in the price). Additionally, the Series-5 Rotator and XL Focuser are not included.

Features

• Carbon fibre tube minimizes thermal expansion, which causes focus shift as temperature changes during an imaging session. Carbon fibre also reaches ambient temperatures quickly and is extremely lightweight and rigid to help ensure excellent imaging data is produced.
• Dovetail Expansion Joint allows for the difference in thermal expansion between carbon fibre and aluminium. The expansion joint allows the aluminium dovetail to expand and contract without stressing the carbon fibre lower truss.
• Cooling fans are strategically placed on the backplate and sides of the tube to quickly cool the mirrors to ambient temperature. Built-in heating pads and temperature sensors for the primary and secondary mirrors (controllable via the Series 5 controller, sold separately).
• Advanced precision positioned, lightweight baffle tubes minimize vignetting and maximize image contrast. 
• Compatible with the new Series 5 rotator and XL focuser (not included), which require only 70.6mm of space. This leaves 147.6mm of backfocus for further accessories. Both the Series 5 rotator and focuser require the Series 5 Controller (not included).

The Delta Rho 500 can be configured to use the PrimaLuceLab ESATTO 3.5" LP robotic microfocuser with the addition of our Testar-engineered adapter as in the below images (Delta Rho 350 shown).

Specifications

Optical system

Primary mirror

Secondary mirror

Lens group

Included items

• Delta Rho 500 optical tube
• OTA cover
• Integrated heating pads for dew prevention (requires optional controller - sold separately)
• PlaneWave thumb drive with software and collimation instructions