An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope for space

Kenneth L Hallam; Barton J Howell; Mark E Wilson

doi:10.1117/12.966160

9 January 1984 An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope for space

Kenneth L Hallam, Barton J Howell, Mark E Wilson

Proceedings Volume 0445, Instrumentation in Astronomy V; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966160
Event: 1983 Astronomy Conferences, 1983, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope (WAFFT) designed and built at Goddard Space Flight Center demonstrates the remarkedly improved wide-angle imaging capability which can be achieved with a design based on a recently announced class of unobscured 3-mirror optical systems. Astronomy and earth observation missions in space dictate the necessity or preference for wide-angle all-reflective systems which can provide UV through IR wavelength coverage and tolerate the space environment. Our initial prototype unit has been designed to meet imaging requirements suitable for monitoring the ultraviolet sky from space. The unobscured f/4, 36 mm e.f.l. system achieves a full 20° x 30° field of view with resolution over a flat focal surface that is well matched for use with advanced ultraviolet image array detectors. Aspects of the design and fabrication approach, which have especially important bearing on the system solution, are reviewed; and test results are compared with the analytic performance predictions. Other possible applications of the WAFFT class of imaging system are briefly discussed. The exceptional wide-angle, high quality resolution, and very wide spectral coverage of the WAFFT-type optical system could make it a very important tool for future space research.

Citation Download Citation

Kenneth L Hallam, Barton J Howell, and Mark E Wilson "An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope for space", Proc. SPIE 0445, Instrumentation in Astronomy V, (9 January 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966160

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