Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope: a point design based on science drivers

Stephen E. Strom; Larry M. Stepp; Brooke Gregory

doi:10.1117/12.459863

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30 January 2003 Giant segmented mirror telescope: a point design based on science drivers

Stephen E. Strom, Larry M. Stepp, Brooke Gregory

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Proceedings Volume 4840, Future Giant Telescopes; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459863
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

We describe a 'point design' for a 30m Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT) aimed at meeting a set of initial science goals developed over a period of two years by working groups comprised of more than 60 astronomers. The paper summarizes these goals briefly, captures the top-level performance requirements that follow from them, and describes a plausible, first-cut technical solution developed as part of an overall systems-level analysis. The key features of the point design are: (1) a fast (f/1) primary; (2) an adaptive secondary that serves both to compensate for the effects of wind buffeting and as the first stage of three adaptive optics systems: (i) multi-conjugate AO; (ii) high-performance on-axis AO; (iii) ground-level seeing compensation; (3) a radio telescope structure; (4) multiple instrument ports (prime focus; Nasmyth foci; direct Cass); (5) an hierarchical control system comprising multiple active and adaptive elements.

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Stephen E. Strom, Larry M. Stepp, and Brooke Gregory "Giant segmented mirror telescope: a point design based on science drivers", Proc. SPIE 4840, Future Giant Telescopes, (30 January 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459863

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