The Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (HIA), AMEC Dynamic Structures Ltd. and several other Canadian university groups are currently in the initial phases of designing a new 20-25 metre class, ground-based, optical telescope called the Large Optical Telescope (LOT). At more than six times the collecting area of current state-of-the-art telescopes, the LOT will enable Canadian astronomers to continue carrying out forefront astronomical research. However, the LOT presents difficult design challenges not encountered with previous observatories. The successful design, construction and operation of the LOT will not only require detailed studies of all major telescope subsystems but will also require a fully integrated model of the entire observatory.
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