University Of Texas 7.6 Meter Telescope Project

T. G. Barnes III

doi:10.1117/12.933509

4 November 1982 University Of Texas 7.6 Meter Telescope Project

T. G. Barnes III

Proceedings Volume 0332, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes I; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933509
Event: 1982 Astronomy Conferences, 1982, Tucson, United States

Abstract

For over two years the McDonald Observatory of The University of Texas at Austin has been actively designing a very large optical telescope. The design is largely constrained by the two requirements of completion by the late 1980's and cost within the realm of private philanthropy. Within these constraints, we have concluded that the largest possible telescope is one which incorporates the following properties: (1) a monolithic primary mirror of diameter near 7.6 meters, (2) an ultra-thin, meniscus, fused silica primary of thickness 10-15 centimeters or a "hondycomb" borosilicate primary of near classical thickness, (3) a fast (f/2) Ritchey-Chretien primary relayed to two f/13.5 Ilasmyth foci, (4) an alt-azimuth mount, (5) an MMT-style building instead of a classical dome, and (6) a sepa-rate building to house the aluminizing chamber.

Citation Download Citation

T. G. Barnes III "University Of Texas 7.6 Meter Telescope Project", Proc. SPIE 0332, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes I, (4 November 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933509

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