Carbon Truss (Open) 16 inch Ritchey-Chrétien...

One of six RCOS Custom f/12 RCs Participating in UNC's PROMPT Project at CTIO, Chile!

UNC - CTIO Chile

There are six RCOS custom 16" Ritchey-Chrétien Telescopes that participate in the PROMPT (Panchromatic Robotic Optical Monitoring and Polarimetry Telescopes) project. Their objective is rapid and simultaneous multiwavelength observations of GRB afterglows, some when they are only tens of seconds old. In addition to measuring redshifts by dropout, and early-time SFDs and extinction curves of sufficiently bright afterglows in unprecedented detail, PROMPT will facilitate quick response observations at 8.1-m Gemini South and 4.1-m SOAR. PROMPT will also serve as a platform for undergraduate and high school education throughout the state of North Carolina.

Six 12' Clamshell Observatories house six RCOS 16" Carbon Truss (Open) Telescopes near the summit of CTIO at an altitude of 2200 meters. There are many other World Class instruments that share the mountain top including; The 4-m Victor M. Blanco Telescope, The 1.5-Meter Telescope, The 1.3-m (ex-2MASS) Telescope, The SMARTS 1.0m Telescope, and The 0.9-Meter Telescope.

 

RCOS 16" f/8.4 "OPEN" Carbon Truss Telescope, Computer Polished ULE Optics...

RCOS 16" f/9 "OPEN" Carbon Truss Telescope, ION Milled Astro-Sitall Optics...

Optical Features:
- Zero Expansion Astro-Sitall, ULE Type or Zerodur RC Optics by Star Instruments.  Tested and Certified to at least 1/25th wave RMS. 
- Supporting Fringe Analysis and Interferometric Data included.
- Enhanced Aluminum (SiO2/TiO2) Overcoat - 96.9% Reflectivity.

Mechanical Features:
- Designed, Engineered and Modeled in SolidWorks 2009.
- RCOS Proprietary Center Mounted, Self Balancing Primary Mirror Cell.
- Low expansion, light weight Carbon Fiber Truss (Open Construction) for superior performance and stability.
- 6061 Aluminum components - All CNC Machined.
- Precision Secondary Mirror Focuser.
- Multi-Stage Primary Mirror Baffle with internal knife-edge light stops.
- Conical Secondary Light Baffle.
- 6061 Aluminum Mounting Rings - CNC Machined.
- Active Cooling.
- RCOS "Focus and Forget" Technology.
- Shipped fully Assembled, Collimated and Ready to Use.
- RCOS CNC Machined "light weight" Dovetail Plates (Losmandy compatible) - top and bottom with matching Paramount VersaPlate hole pattern, allows dovetail mounting plate to be bolted to VersaPlate once scope is balanced.
- Losmandy RDF-90 Finder Scope 3-point Mounting Bracket.
- CNC machined Composite Dust Cover over primary mirror.

Drawings and Documents

Complete and fully assembled OTA Price: $37,975

Optical Features:
- Zero Expansion, Astro-Sitall RC Optics, Tested and Certified to at Least 1/40th Wave RMS. 
- Supporting Fringe Analysis and Interferometric Data included.
- Enhanced Aluminum (SiO2/TiO2) Overcoat - 96.9% Reflectivity.

Mechanical Features:
- Designed, Engineered and Modeled in SolidWorks 2009.
- RCOS Proprietary 18-Point Primary Mirror Flotation Cell.
- Low expansion, light weight Carbon Fiber Truss Open Construction) for superior performance and stability.
- 6061 Aluminum components - All CNC Machined.
- Precision Secondary Mirror Focuser.
- Multi-Stage Primary Mirror Baffle with internal knife-edge light stops.
- Conical Secondary Light Baffle.
- 6061 Aluminum Mounting Rings - CNC Machined.
- Active Cooling.
- RCOS "Focus and Forget" Technology.
- Shipped fully Assembled, Collimated and Ready to Use.
- RCOS CNC Machined "light weight" Dovetail Plates (Losmandy compatible) - top and bottom with matching Paramount VersaPlate hole pattern, allows dovetail mounting plate to be bolted to VersaPlate once scope is balanced.
- Losmandy RDF-90 Finder Scope 3-point Mounting Bracket.
- CNC machined Composite Dust Cover over primary mirror.

 

Drawings and Documents

Complete and fully assembled OTA Price: $42,450

 

Options and Accessories

RCOS Telescope Command Center (TCC-II) Controller - Thermal monitor of primary, secondary and ambient air temperature, includes and controls fans, secondary focus position, secondary dew heater operation, and operation of optional Instrument Rotator. Includes Servo DC motor to electronically operate the secondary focuser.

Price: $2,450

Telescope Command Center

RCOS 82mm Series - Precision Instrument Rotator (PIR-82mm). Controlled by the Telescope Command Center. Large clear aperture will not vignet today's 50mm square detectors.

Price: $2,950

RCOS 82mm Series - Field Flattener / Corrector. Eliminates field curvature present in all reflective telescopes while eliminating astigmatism and reducing spot size.

Price: $2,650

RCOS 82mm Series - Fixed Instruments Rear Cell Adapter / Spacer Set (FIA-82mm). Also large clear aperture to eliminate vignetting. Fits into 82mm PIR.

Price: $75 each

Mini Borg 45 ED, Mini Borg 50 Ach, Borg 77mm ED, Borg 101 ED, or Borg 125 ED Refractors. Can be used for Piggy Back Guide Scope, Finder Scope, or Wide Field Imager.

Price: Call

FSQ-106 the "NEW Q" by Takahashi (FSQ-106). Piggy back onto your RC! Superb Wide Field Imaging!

Price: $4,200 (OTA only)

RCOS Custom Shipping Crate (Crate 16RC). Ship your 16RC secure and safe anywhere in the world with peace of mind. Custom fit and padded internally to reduce shock.

Price: $650

Custom Shipping Case from Thermodyne. Airline style with handle and wheels make it easy to pack and travel with your 16RC.

Price: $1,150 (not including shipping from Thermodyne)