Is there an upper limit to the size of enclosures?

Torben Andersen; P. H. Christensen

doi:10.1117/12.393945

2 August 2000 Is there an upper limit to the size of enclosures?

Torben Andersen, P. H. Christensen

Proceedings Volume 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393945
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The next generation of large telescopes will be in the 25 - 100 m range. Feasibility studies for telescopes of this size are in progress at various locations and it is currently discussed which aperture size that will be optimal. For this purpose it is highly important to clarify whether there is an upper limit to the size of telescope enclosures that can be built with reasonable resources. First, a design of a telescope enclosure for the proposed Swedish 50 m telescope is presented. Secondly, based on this design, the influence of the aperture size on the enclosure design and the construction budget is discussed, and it is concluded that it is entirely feasible to construct an enclosure for a telescope as large as 100 m. Detailed budgets are given.

Citation Download Citation

Torben Andersen and P. H. Christensen "Is there an upper limit to the size of enclosures?", Proc. SPIE 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning, (2 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393945

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