When Telescopes Start To Walk...

Dietmar E. K. Plathner

doi:10.1117/12.961509

26 September 1989 When Telescopes Start To Walk...

Dietmar E. K. Plathner

Proceedings Volume 1130, New Technologies for Astronomy; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961509
Event: 1989 International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1989, Paris, France

Abstract

A system study has been started to elaborate and define methods of moving optical telescopes of the 2-m class continuously during astronomical observations. When operating several such telescopes together in an interferometer configuration, this mobility permits us to suppress costly delay lines and may also yield faster and better coverage of the u, v plane. The motion of the telescopes is however subject to the strict requirements of mechanical and thermal stability necessary for interferometric work. This implies stiff and vibration-free structures as well as metrology systems for speed and position control. The metrology systems may present a particular bottleneck as they have to measure distances up to several hundred metres with a precision of a fraction of a micron. All these considerations lead to a solution in which a telescope transporter unit would be equipped with two sets of tripod supports. They are alternately placed on counterparts in the ground and can move the telescope in x and y directions. During their operating cycle, the tripod supports are rigidly connected to the foundations, thus providing the pedestal of the telescope with the required stiffness for astronomical and interferometric observations. Overall speed and position control is derived from locally-installed, short distance measuring systems.

Citation Download Citation

Dietmar E. K. Plathner "When Telescopes Start To Walk...", Proc. SPIE 1130, New Technologies for Astronomy, (26 September 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961509

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