With a diffraction-limited 100 mm image circle, the PlaneWave 1-Meter Telescope is designed to excel at imaging on the largest format CCD cameras available today. Light-weighted optics are made of zero expansion fused silica materials for excellent thermal stability and maximum throughput.

The dual Nasmyth ports allow two instruments to be installed simultaneously, and a computer-controlled M3 mirror allows either instrument to be remotely selected in seconds. With direct drive motors, high resolution encoders, zero backlash and no periodic error, the PW1000 sets a new standard in 1-meter class observatory telescopes.

Since the secondary mirror is spherical, centering is very forgiving, making it easy to align the telescope optics for optimum performance. The end result at the image plane is no off-axis coma, no off-axis astigmatism, and a perfectly flat field to the edge of a 100 mm image circle. The stars will be pinpoints from the center to the corner of the field of view.

OPTICAL DESIGN

• Primary mirror is 1-Meter clear aperture
• Secondary mirror is 47% central obstruction
• Corrected Dall-Kirkham optics with 3-element Silica corrector for each of the two Nasmyth ports offering a 170 mm clear aperture
• All optical elements are made from zero-expansion material

MECHANICAL

• Dual Nasmyth focus ports allowing simultaneous mounting of 2 instruments and easy switching between imaging and visual use
• Motorized 3rd mirror rotation for switching between the Nasmyth ports
• 100 mm diameter field of view (1 degree)
• Motorized focuser and field de-rotator for each Nasmyth port
• Generous back focus for cameras
• f/6 native focus ration, f/4.5 focus ratio with reducer
• Fully baffled against sky background and glints
• Carbon-fiber telescope truss tubes
• Two fan zones with a total of 8 fans for cooling optics
• Three dew heaters with sensors for dew prevention on optics
• Integrated primary mirror shutter cover

MOTOR SYSTEM

• Custom direct drive motors with absolute on-axis encoders on each axis for smooth, fast, and virtually silent movement of the telescope
• Custom azimuth bearing
• High servo bandwidth for accurate and responsive positioning
• Mechanically and electrically very stiff
• No gears, no backlash and no periodic error
• Counters wind gusts with minimal disturbance

OPTICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Optical Design: Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) or Ritchey-Chrétien (RC)
Aperture: 1000 mm (39.37 inch)
Focal Length: 6,000 mm
Focal ratio: f/6
Central Obstruction: 47% of the Primary Mirror Diameter
Back Focus: 373 mm (14.7 inches) from Mounting Surface of De-Rotator
Weight: 2,600 lb. (1,179 kg)
Dimensions: 135″ H x 72″ W x 45″ (3,429 mm H x 1,829 mm W x 1,143 mm)
Optical Tube: Dual truss structure with Nasmyth focus
Optical Performance: 3.7 micron RMS spots [35 mm on-axis] (400 to 900 nm) 5.0 micron RMS spots [50 mm off-axis] (400 to 900 nm)
Optimal Field of View: 100 mm (1.0 degrees)
Focus Position: Dual Nasmyth Focus Ports
Fork Assembly: Space Frame Steel Truss

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Fork4Base: Welded stainless steel torsion box
Azimuth Bearing: Dual 11.125 inch tapered roller bearings
Altitude Bearing: Three 9.5 inch 4 way loaded ball bearings; two pre-loaded on the motor side and one on the non-motor side
Optical Tube: Dual truss structure with Nasmyth focus
Instrument Payload: 300 lb. (150 ft-lb) mounted on the field de-rotator plate

PRIMARY MIRROR

Radius of Curvature: 6,260 mm (246.46 inches)
Optical Diameter: 1,000 mm (39.4 inch)
Outer Diameter: 1,020 mm (40.157inch)
Core Diameter: 360.7 mm (14.2 inches)
Material: Fused Silica
Thickness: 85 mm (3.3 inches)
Weight: 122 lb. (55.3 kg); 54% light weighted
Cell: 18 point

SECONDARY MIRROR

Radius of curvature: 5,740 mm (226 inches)
Optical Diameter: 450 mm (17.7 inches)
Material: Fused Silica
Weight: 27.2 lb. (12.3 kg)
Cell: 3 point RTV

THIRD MIRROR

Optical Major Diameter: 404 mm (15.9 inches)
Optical Minor Diameter: 286 mm (11.3 inches)
Material: Fused Silica
Thickness: 65 mm (2.6 inches)

MOTION CONTROL

Motor Control: Industrial grade Parker brushless motor control system and built in electronics
Motor – Azimuth and Altitude: Direct Drive 3 Phase Axial-Flux Torque Motor
Encoder – Azimuth and Altitude: Absolute encoder with a resolution of 0.078 arcseconds
Motor Torque: Greater than 200 ft-lbs of peak torque
Drive Electronics: Controls the altitude and azimuth motors and encoders, 2 direct drive de-rotators with absolute encoders, 4 fans zones, 3 dew heater zones, two focusers, an array of temperature sensors, M3 port selector, primary mirror covers and magnetic axis deceleration
Telescope Control Software: Incorporates PointXP mount modeling software and All Sky PlateSolve both by Dave Rowe. Also included is automatic focusing, dew heater control, primary mirror cover control, dome control and all ASCOM compatible. Linux and Windows compatible.

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Pointing Accuracy: Better than 10 arcsecond RMS with PointXP Model
Pointing Precision: 2 arcsecond
Tracking Accuracy: <1 arcsecond error over 10 minute period
System Natural Frequency: 10 Hz or greater
Field De-Rotator Accuracy: < 3 microns of peak to peak error at 35 mm off-axis over 1 hour of tracking (18 arc sec)