The GMT Telescope metrology system: easing the complexity of initial and operational alignment and increasing observing efficiency

Breann Sitarski; Andrew Rakich; Hugo Chiquito; Wylie Rosenthal; Priscila Pires; Peter Thompson; Francisco Aguayo; William Schoenell; Patricio Schurter; Glenn Brossus; Rodolphe Conan; Antonin Bouchez; George Angeli; Keath Beifus; King-Ming Lam; Paul Gardner; David Thomas

doi:10.1117/12.2560681

13 December 2020 The GMT Telescope metrology system: easing the complexity of initial and operational alignment and increasing observing efficiency

Breann Sitarski, Andrew Rakich, Hugo Chiquito, Wylie Rosenthal, Priscila Pires, Peter Thompson, Francisco Aguayo, William Schoenell, Patricio Schurter, Glenn Brossus, Rodolphe Conan, Antonin Bouchez, George Angeli, Keath Beifus, King-Ming Lam, Paul Gardner, David Thomas

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII; 114450T (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560681
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

The Giant Magellan Telescope will be a 25.4-m visible and infrared telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. The optical design consists of 7 8.4-m primary mirror segments that reflect light to 7 secondary mirror segments in a doubly-segmented direct Gregorian configuration. Each mirror pair must be coaligned and co-boresighted. During operations, the alignment of the optical components will deflect due to variations in temperature, gravity-induced structure flexure of the mount, and, on a scale relevant to phasing, vibrations. The doubly-segmented nature and size of the GMT will create a novel set of challenges for initial assembly, integration, and verification and maintaining high-precision alignment of the optical elements during operations. GMT is developing a Telescope Metrology System that uses 3D laser metrology systems to decrease the complexity of alignment and increase observatory efficiency. This paper discusses the 4 subsystems of TMS as well as their operational modes.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Breann Sitarski, Andrew Rakich, Hugo Chiquito, Wylie Rosenthal, Priscila Pires, Peter Thompson, Francisco Aguayo, William Schoenell, Patricio Schurter, Glenn Brossus, Rodolphe Conan, Antonin Bouchez, George Angeli, Keath Beifus, King-Ming Lam, Paul Gardner, and David Thomas "The GMT Telescope metrology system: easing the complexity of initial and operational alignment and increasing observing efficiency", Proc. SPIE 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII, 114450T (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560681

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