Computational fluid dynamics modeling and analysis for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)

John Ladd; Jeffrey Slotnick; William Norby; Bruce Bigelow; William Burgett

doi:10.1117/12.2231933

9 August 2016 Computational fluid dynamics modeling and analysis for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)

John Ladd, Jeffrey Slotnick, William Norby, Bruce Bigelow, William Burgett

Proceedings Volume 9911, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy VII; 991114 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231933
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is planned for construction at a summit of Cerro Las Campanas at the Los Campanas Observatory (LCO) in Chile. GMT will be the most powerful ground-based telescope in operation in the world. Aero-thermal interactions between the site topography, enclosure, internal systems, and optics are complex. A key parameter for optical quality is the thermal gradient between the terrain and the air entering the enclosure, and how quickly that gradient can be dissipated to equilibrium. To ensure the highest quality optical performance, careful design of the telescope enclosure building, location of the enclosure on the summit, and proper venting of the airflow within the enclosure is essential to minimize the impact of velocity and temperature gradients in the air entering the enclosure.

High-fidelity Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of the GMT, enclosure, and LCO terrain is performed to study (a) the impact of either an open or closed enclosure base soffit external shape design, (b) the effect of telescope/enclosure location on the mountain summit, and (c) the effect of enclosure venting patterns. Details on the geometry modeling, grid discretization, and flow solution are first described. Then selected computational results are shown to quantify the quality of the airflow entering the GMT enclosure based on soffit, site location, and venting considerations. Based on the results, conclusions are provided on GMT soffit design, site location, and enclosure venting. The current work is not used to estimate image quality but will be addressed in future analyses as described in the conclusions.

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John Ladd, Jeffrey Slotnick, William Norby, Bruce Bigelow, and William Burgett "Computational fluid dynamics modeling and analysis for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)", Proc. SPIE 9911, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy VII, 991114 (9 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231933

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KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Mirrors

Device simulation

Computer aided design

Liquid crystal on silicon

Solid modeling

Space telescopes

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