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Optical System for the University of Texas 7.6m Telescope

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

R.G. Tull ,
T.G. Barnes ,
D.N. Dittmar ,
F.B. Ray  and
Earl Pearson
R.G. Tull
Affiliation:
The University of Texas and McDonald Observatory
T.G. Barnes
Affiliation:
The University of Texas and McDonald Observatory
D.N. Dittmar
Affiliation:
The University of Texas and McDonald Observatory
F.B. Ray
Affiliation:
The University of Texas and McDonald Observatory
Earl Pearson
Affiliation:
The University of Arizona

Extract

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As presently conceived, the large telescope now being planned at The University of Texas will have a Ritchey-Chrétien configuration, f/13.5, with a 7.6m diameter f/2 primary of ultra-thin construction, on an alt-azimuth mount.

In this paper we will describe the current concept for the mounting, the building, mirror handling techniques, and the optical system. We will give preliminary results of the finite element flexure analysis of the mirror on its support system.

Studies have demonstrated a workable concept and have shown that there exists a method of adequately supporting an ultra-thin mirror against gravity and wind loads. We are continuing these studies, including also thermal effects on the mirror figure, in order to determine the best choice of mirror material and construction at the most reasonable price.

Type
Section I: Optical Telescopes, Existing And Planned
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 67: Instrumentation for Astronomy with Large Optical Telescopes , 1982 , pp. 37 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1982

References

(1) Weekes, Trevor C. (ed.) 1979, “The MMT and The Future of Ground-Based Astronomy”, SAO Special Report 385.Google Scholar
(2) Kohler, H. 1966, in “The Construction of Large Telescopes,” IAU Symp. 27, ed. Crawford, D.L. p.9.Google Scholar
(3) Gascoigne, S.C.B. 1973, Applied Optics 12, p. 1419.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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(5) Fehrenbach, C. 1968, in Support and Testing of Large Astronomical Mirrors, ed. Crawford, D.L. Meinel, A.B. and Stockton, M.W. Pub. KPNO, p. 66.Google Scholar
(6) KPNO Quarterly Bulletin, April-June 1974, p. 24.Google Scholar