The LSST dome: manufacturing and erection status

William J. Gressler; Douglas R. Neill; Simone De Lorenzi; Gianpietro Marchiori; Tommaso Marchiori; Alvise Tosi

doi:10.1117/12.2314264

6 July 2018 The LSST dome: manufacturing and erection status

William J. Gressler, Douglas R. Neill, Simone De Lorenzi, Gianpietro Marchiori, Tommaso Marchiori, Alvise Tosi

Proceedings Volume 10700, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VII; 1070008 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314264
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a large (8.4 meter), wide-field (3.5 degree) survey telescope, undergoing assembly on the summit of Cerro Pachón, in Chile¹ . In May 2015 EIE Ground Technologies Srl - Company of EIE GROUP with headquarters in Venice-Mestre, Italy – signed the contract with AURA Inc. The Design Phase of the rotating enclosure system (Dome) was completed in February 2016. All the structures, mechanisms, electronics, software, etc. are approaching completion. On-site activities started in the spring of 2017, and are scheduled to finish testing in early 2019, in time to begin the installation of the telescope. The Dome’s steel structure supports the two Slit Doors, a moving Permeable Windscreen, a Light Baffled Louver System, numerous platforms and the exterior cladding. The Dome structures are shielded by insulated sandwich panels which provide protection from the exterior environment. The Dome is equipped with a series of Louvers, with associated hinged light baffles, which simultaneously provide exceptional Dome flushing and stray light attenuation. The Windscreen also functions as a light screen, and helps define the optical aperture of the Telescope. The Dome’s azimuth rotation is enabled by trolleys acting on tracks, fixed to the cylindrical, concrete Dome Pier. The rotational torque is provided by the Azimuth Drives fixed directly on the Dome Pier. This simplifies the glycol/water cooling and eliminates the need for a utility cable wrap. During the day, internal temperature control is provided by an Air Duct System interfacing with the facility thermal control system. These ducts align when the Dome is in its parked position. Furthermore, the Dome is equipped with electrical systems, a safety and interlock System, and an overhead bridge crane. A series of ladders, stairs and platforms allow inspections, maintenance and repair of all of the Dome installations. In this paper, we present the status of the manufacturing activities, erection processes, and testing.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

William J. Gressler, Douglas R. Neill, Simone De Lorenzi, Gianpietro Marchiori, Tommaso Marchiori, and Alvise Tosi "The LSST dome: manufacturing and erection status", Proc. SPIE 10700, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VII, 1070008 (6 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314264

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