PlaneWave 20 in f/7 RC Telescope OTA
- This item is currently on backorder from the manufacturer.
- Orders are fulfilled in the order they are received once inventory arrives.
Stock count is accurate & shown in real time.
- This item is out of stock.
- Sign up for back-in-stock alerts to be notified when this item becomes available (account login required).
- This item is out of stock.
- Sign up for back-in-stock alerts to be notified when this item becomes available (account login required).
Contiguous US / Lower 48:
Free shipping applies to orders over $50 using our chosen carrier/method. Faster paid options are available at checkout.
Alaska, Hawaii & US Territories:
Free shipping applies to many—but not all—products. Enter your ZIP code in cart or upon checkout to confirm options and costs.
International:
International orders do not qualify for free shipping. Shipping, duties, brokerage, tariffs, and taxes are the customer’s responsibility. Some items may be restricted due to export, size, or manufacturer limitations.
Shipped directly from the PlaneWave factory in Adrian, Michigan. $400 Crating Fee and shipping charges to be billed separately.
-
Optimized Imaging Performance: The RC design utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors to effectively eliminate spherical aberration and coma, resulting in sharp, high-contrast images across a wide, flat field of view. This makes it particularly suitable for astrophotography and detailed astronomical observations.
- High-quality fused-silica mirrors & carbon fiber structure: mirrors with low thermal expansion plus a rigid, lightweight carbon-fiber tube help maintain optical performance across temperature variations.
- Robust optical parameters: 508 mm aperture, 3454 mm focal length (f/6.8), 224 mm back-focus from mounting surface, and image quality tolerances of ~1.5 microns RMS on-axis.
PlaneWave Instruments 20 in f/6.8 RC OTA
The PlaneWave Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) 20 f/6.8 Optical Tube Assembly is a high-performance telescope designed to meet the needs of serious astronomers and astrophotographers. With its advanced optical design and robust construction, it offers exceptional image quality and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of observational and research applications. Whether for deep-sky imaging, planetary observation, or scientific studies, the RC20 provides a reliable platform that delivers consistent and impressive results. Price excludes shipping and crating.
Specification Spotlight
- Large Aperture - 20 in (508 mm)
- Focal Ratio - f/7
- Back Focus - 224 mm back focus from mounting surface
- Percision Optical Performance - Perfectly flat field across the entire 52 mm image circle
- Edge-to-Edge Clarity - No off-axis coma or astigmatism
- Thermally Stable Fused Silica Mirrors - Rock-solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion
- Carbon Fiber Construction - Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly
- Integrated Dew Control - Keep your mirrors images clear and consistent all night with condensation control
Application-Specific Benefits
The 20 in RC telescope offers a versatile platform for both astrophotography and astronomy research. Its large aperture and precision optics enable astrophotographers to capture detailed and crisp images of celestial phenomena, making it an excellent tool for capturing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Additionally, its reliable performance and detailed imaging capabilities make it a valuable asset for universities and research observatories engaged in complex studies such as stellar classification, photometric research, and other scientific investigations.
A Closer Look at the RC 20 in Key Features
Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics
The RC20 features a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality mirrors with enhanced coatings. This setup minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures excellent light throughput, providing superb image fidelity and contrast. This optical design shines when making observations, primarily on-axis, and wide-field imaging is not a concern.
Mechanical Structure
Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including a dual carbon-fiber truss design, the RC20 ensures structural integrity and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to handle and mount on various telescope mounts.
High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Featuring fused silica mirrors, the RC20 maintains precise optical alignment and surface accuracy under temperature shifts. The superior coatings enhance light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing the telescope’s performance for demanding observational tasks.
Thermal Management
Equipped with three cooling fans at the back of the telescope, the RC20 achieves thermal equilibrium quickly. This feature helps to reduce air turbulence inside the telescope tube, minimizing thermal distortions and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.
Integrated Dew Control
This telescope integrates sophisticated dew prevention technology with heating pads managed through PlaneWave’s software. This system ensures that optical surfaces remain clear from condensation under varying humidity levels, maintaining clarity and performance during observational sessions.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 508 mm (20 in)
- Focal Length: 3556 mm (140 in)
- Focal Ratio: f/7
- Central Obstruction: 39% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 147 mm (5.8 in)
- Weight: 140 lb (63.5 kg)
- OTA Length: 1194 mm (47 in)
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss
- Lower Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss with Carbon Fiber Light Shroud
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 191 mm (7.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 508 mm (20 in)
- Outer Diameter: 521 mm (20.5 in)
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Material: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
- Coating: Fused Silica
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: United States
PlaneWave Instruments 20 in f/6.8 RC OTA
The PlaneWave Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) 20 f/6.8 Optical Tube Assembly is a high-performance telescope designed to meet the needs of serious astronomers and astrophotographers. With its advanced optical design and robust construction, it offers exceptional image quality and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of observational and research applications. Whether for deep-sky imaging, planetary observation, or scientific studies, the RC20 provides a reliable platform that delivers consistent and impressive results. Price excludes shipping and crating.
Specification Spotlight
- Large Aperture - 20 in (508 mm)
- Focal Ratio - f/7
- Back Focus - 224 mm back focus from mounting surface
- Percision Optical Performance - Perfectly flat field across the entire 52 mm image circle
- Edge-to-Edge Clarity - No off-axis coma or astigmatism
- Thermally Stable Fused Silica Mirrors - Rock-solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion
- Carbon Fiber Construction - Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly
- Integrated Dew Control - Keep your mirrors images clear and consistent all night with condensation control
Application-Specific Benefits
The 20 in RC telescope offers a versatile platform for both astrophotography and astronomy research. Its large aperture and precision optics enable astrophotographers to capture detailed and crisp images of celestial phenomena, making it an excellent tool for capturing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Additionally, its reliable performance and detailed imaging capabilities make it a valuable asset for universities and research observatories engaged in complex studies such as stellar classification, photometric research, and other scientific investigations.
A Closer Look at the RC 20 in Key Features
Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics
The RC20 features a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality mirrors with enhanced coatings. This setup minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures excellent light throughput, providing superb image fidelity and contrast. This optical design shines when making observations, primarily on-axis, and wide-field imaging is not a concern.
Mechanical Structure
Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including a dual carbon-fiber truss design, the RC20 ensures structural integrity and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to handle and mount on various telescope mounts.
High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Featuring fused silica mirrors, the RC20 maintains precise optical alignment and surface accuracy under temperature shifts. The superior coatings enhance light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing the telescope’s performance for demanding observational tasks.
Thermal Management
Equipped with three cooling fans at the back of the telescope, the RC20 achieves thermal equilibrium quickly. This feature helps to reduce air turbulence inside the telescope tube, minimizing thermal distortions and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.
Integrated Dew Control
This telescope integrates sophisticated dew prevention technology with heating pads managed through PlaneWave’s software. This system ensures that optical surfaces remain clear from condensation under varying humidity levels, maintaining clarity and performance during observational sessions.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 508 mm (20 in)
- Focal Length: 3556 mm (140 in)
- Focal Ratio: f/7
- Central Obstruction: 39% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 147 mm (5.8 in)
- Weight: 140 lb (63.5 kg)
- OTA Length: 1194 mm (47 in)
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss
- Lower Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss with Carbon Fiber Light Shroud
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 191 mm (7.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 508 mm (20 in)
- Outer Diameter: 521 mm (20.5 in)
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Material: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
- Coating: Fused Silica
| Manufacturer | PlaneWave Instruments |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | Greater than 3000mm |
- 20 in RC OTA
- 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
- Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)
Shipped directly from the PlaneWave factory in Adrian, Michigan. $400 Crating Fee and shipping charges to be billed separately.
-
Optimized Imaging Performance: The RC design utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors to effectively eliminate spherical aberration and coma, resulting in sharp, high-contrast images across a wide, flat field of view. This makes it particularly suitable for astrophotography and detailed astronomical observations.
- High-quality fused-silica mirrors & carbon fiber structure: mirrors with low thermal expansion plus a rigid, lightweight carbon-fiber tube help maintain optical performance across temperature variations.
- Robust optical parameters: 508 mm aperture, 3454 mm focal length (f/6.8), 224 mm back-focus from mounting surface, and image quality tolerances of ~1.5 microns RMS on-axis.
PlaneWave Instruments 20 in f/6.8 RC OTA
The PlaneWave Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) 20 f/6.8 Optical Tube Assembly is a high-performance telescope designed to meet the needs of serious astronomers and astrophotographers. With its advanced optical design and robust construction, it offers exceptional image quality and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of observational and research applications. Whether for deep-sky imaging, planetary observation, or scientific studies, the RC20 provides a reliable platform that delivers consistent and impressive results. Price excludes shipping and crating.
Specification Spotlight
- Large Aperture - 20 in (508 mm)
- Focal Ratio - f/7
- Back Focus - 224 mm back focus from mounting surface
- Percision Optical Performance - Perfectly flat field across the entire 52 mm image circle
- Edge-to-Edge Clarity - No off-axis coma or astigmatism
- Thermally Stable Fused Silica Mirrors - Rock-solid fused silica mirrors with low thermal expansion
- Carbon Fiber Construction - Lightweight and rigid carbon fiber optical tube assembly
- Integrated Dew Control - Keep your mirrors images clear and consistent all night with condensation control
Application-Specific Benefits
The 20 in RC telescope offers a versatile platform for both astrophotography and astronomy research. Its large aperture and precision optics enable astrophotographers to capture detailed and crisp images of celestial phenomena, making it an excellent tool for capturing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Additionally, its reliable performance and detailed imaging capabilities make it a valuable asset for universities and research observatories engaged in complex studies such as stellar classification, photometric research, and other scientific investigations.
A Closer Look at the RC 20 in Key Features
Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics
The RC20 features a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality mirrors with enhanced coatings. This setup minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures excellent light throughput, providing superb image fidelity and contrast. This optical design shines when making observations, primarily on-axis, and wide-field imaging is not a concern.
Mechanical Structure
Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including a dual carbon-fiber truss design, the RC20 ensures structural integrity and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to handle and mount on various telescope mounts.
High-Performance Mirrors and Coatings
Featuring fused silica mirrors, the RC20 maintains precise optical alignment and surface accuracy under temperature shifts. The superior coatings enhance light transmission and reduce stray light, optimizing the telescope’s performance for demanding observational tasks.
Thermal Management
Equipped with three cooling fans at the back of the telescope, the RC20 achieves thermal equilibrium quickly. This feature helps to reduce air turbulence inside the telescope tube, minimizing thermal distortions and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.
Integrated Dew Control
This telescope integrates sophisticated dew prevention technology with heating pads managed through PlaneWave’s software. This system ensures that optical surfaces remain clear from condensation under varying humidity levels, maintaining clarity and performance during observational sessions.
Specifications
Optical Systems
- Aperture: 508 mm (20 in)
- Focal Length: 3556 mm (140 in)
- Focal Ratio: f/7
- Central Obstruction: 39% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
- Back Focus from Racked in Focuser: 147 mm (5.8 in)
- Weight: 140 lb (63.5 kg)
- OTA Length: 1194 mm (47 in)
- Upper Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss
- Lower Cage: Carbon Fiber Truss with Carbon Fiber Light Shroud
Secondary Mirror
- Diameter: 191 mm (7.5 in)
- Material: Fused silica
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Coating: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
Primary Mirror
- Optical Diameter: 508 mm (20 in)
- Outer Diameter: 521 mm (20.5 in)
- Shape: Hyperbolic
- Material: Enhanced Aluminum – 96%
- Coating: Fused Silica
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: United States
| Manufacturer | PlaneWave Instruments |
|---|---|
| Telescope Focal Length | Greater than 3000mm |
- 20 in RC OTA
- 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
- Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)
PlaneWave 20 in f/7 RC Telescope OTA