Alignment and calibration of the W. M. Keck telescope segmented primary mirror

Chris Witebsky; Robert H. Minor; Eugene Veklerov; Richard C. Jared

doi:10.1117/12.19267

1 July 1990 Alignment and calibration of the W. M. Keck telescope segmented primary mirror

Chris Witebsky, Robert H. Minor, Eugene Veklerov, Richard C. Jared

Proceedings Volume 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19267
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

The Primary Mirror of the Keck Observatory Telescope is made up of an array of 36 hexagonal mirror segments under active control. The measurement of the relative orientations of the mirror segments is fundamental to their control. The mechanical and electronic design of the sensors used to measure these relative positions is described along with the performance of the sensors under a variety of tests. In use, the sensors will measure relative positions with a resolution of a few nanometers. This resolution and the low noise, drift and thermal sensitivity of the sensors are adequate to stabilize the primary mirror figure to the precision require for optical and infrared astronomy.

Citation Download Citation

Chris Witebsky, Robert H. Minor, Eugene Veklerov, and Richard C. Jared "Alignment and calibration of the W. M. Keck telescope segmented primary mirror", Proc. SPIE 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19267

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