Azimuth axis design for huge telescopes: an update

Hans Juergen Kaercher

doi:10.1117/12.553287

29 September 2004 Azimuth axis design for huge telescopes: an update

Hans Juergen Kaercher

Proceedings Volume 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.553287
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

Alt-azimuth mounted radio telescopes use since their beginning -- more than 50 years ago -- the wheel-on-track principle for the realization of the azimuth axis. For the very huge telescopes (as the Lovell telescope in Jodrell Bank, UK, 1956; the Effelsberg Telescope, Germany, 1969; and the Green Bank Telescope, USA 1996), the wheel-on-track system was and is always one of the most sensitive and maintenance consuming subsystems. On the other hand, the huge optical telescopes use since Mount Palomar (and earlier) hydrostatic axes mechanisms, which need also some maintenance efforts, but are very robust and reliable. The paper gives an update of the design approaches for the new built radio telescopes LMT Mexico, and SRT Sardinia, and compares them with hydrostatic solutions for optical telescopes.

Citation Download Citation

Hans Juergen Kaercher "Azimuth axis design for huge telescopes: an update", Proc. SPIE 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.553287

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