Abstract

A configuration applicable to large astronomical telescopes has been developed specifically for lightweight monolithic mirrors in which the primary mirror is located on the same side of the declination axis as the secondary, placing the cassegrain focus very close to the declination axis. This configuration permits both a large instrument space and a single south polar tyne, resulting in a doubly asymmetric system. It is also shown that a passive closed-system air flotation support system can be used for both lateral and back support of the primary mirror, as contrasted to more complex active systems currently in widespread use.

© 1971 Optical Society of America

Minimum-cost 4-m telescope developed at October 1979 Nanjing study of telescope design and construction

Aden B. Meinel, Marjorie P. Meinel, Hu Ningshen, Hu Qiqian, and Pan Chunhua
Appl. Opt. 19(16) 2670-2679 (1980)

Design considerations for a 10-m optical table telescope

Aden B. Meinel and Marjorie P. Meinel
Appl. Opt. 19(16) 2683-2687 (1980)

Location of the elevation axis in a large optical telescope

Stephen Padin
Appl. Opt. 43(5) 1097-1107 (2004)

Design and Operation of the NASA 91.5-cm Airborne Telescope

R. M. Cameron, M. Bader, and R. E. Mobley
Appl. Opt. 10(9) 2011-2015 (1971)

Deflection and stress analysis of a 4.2-m diam primary mirror of an altazimuth-mounted telescope

B. Mack
Appl. Opt. 19(6) 1000-1010 (1980)