The Large Binocular Telescope: binocular all the time

J. M. Hill; D. S. Ashby; J. G. Brynnel; J. C. Christou; John K. Little; D. M. Summers; C. Veillet; R. M. Wagner

doi:10.1117/12.2055218

10 July 2014 The Large Binocular Telescope: binocular all the time

J. M. Hill, D. S. Ashby, J. G. Brynnel, J. C. Christou, John K. Little, D. M. Summers, C. Veillet, R. M. Wagner

Proceedings Volume 9145, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes V; 914502 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055218
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory is a collaboration between institutions in Arizona, Germany, Italy, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Virginia. The telescope uses two 8.4-m diameter primary mirrors mounted sideby- side on the same AZ-EL mount to produce a collecting area equivalent to an 11.8-meter aperture. Many science observations collect the light from the two sides separately. With the arrival of the second copy of the near-infrared spectrometer and the second copy of the optical spectrometer, the telescope is observing with both apertures a significant fraction of the time. The light from the two primary mirrors can be combined to produce phased-array imaging of an extended field. This coherent imaging along with adaptive optics gives the telescope the diffraction-limited resolution of a 22.65-meter telescope. Adaptive optics loops are routinely closed with natural stars on both sides of the telescope for combined beam observations. Twin laser guide star constellations have recently been installed for ground layer adaptive optics observations. Commissioning of new instruments and focal stations for high resolution spectroscopy and near-infrared phased-array imaging is underway.

Citation Download Citation

J. M. Hill, D. S. Ashby, J. G. Brynnel, J. C. Christou, John K. Little, D. M. Summers, C. Veillet, and R. M. Wagner "The Large Binocular Telescope: binocular all the time", Proc. SPIE 9145, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes V, 914502 (10 July 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055218

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available