Planewave DRL500 Telescope System

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.

Aperture20 in (508 mm)Focal Length60.5 in (1537 mm)Focal Ratiof/3Central Obstruction59% by diameterBackfocus from Mounting Surface9.166 in (232.8 mm) from mounting surface; 7.271 inch (184.7 mm) from lens cellWeight16 5lbs (75 kg)Optimal Field of View70 mm image circle

Motor – Azimuth and AltitudeDirect-Drive 3 Phase Axial-Flux Torque MotorsEncoder – Azimuth and Altitude152 mm stainless steel encoder ring with reader built into the azimuth and altitude axes. 18,880,000 counts per revolution (0.069-arcsecond resolution).Motor TorqueApproximately 20 ft-lbs continuous; 50 ft-lbs peakDrive ElectronicsIndustrial grade, off-the-shelf brushless motor drives for each axis with custom designed interface cardTelescope Control SoftwareUses PWI4. Incorporates PointXP mount modeling software by Dave Rowe. All ASCOM compatible.

Pointing Accuracy<10 arcsecond RMS with PointXP ModelPointing Precision2 arcseconds at sidereal velocityTracking Accuracy0.3 arcseconds over a 5-minute period at sidereal velocitySystem Natural Frequency10 Hz or greater