
Proceedings Paper
LSST Telescope mount and pier design overviewFormat | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
---|---|---|
$17.00 | $21.00 |
Paper Abstract
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a large (8.4 meter) wide-field (3.5 degree) survey telescope, which will
be located on the summit of Cerro Pachón in Chile. The survey mission requires a short slew and settling time of 5
seconds for a 3.5 degree slew. This is significantly faster than similar aperture telescopes. Since the optical system does
not include a fast steering mirror the telescope has stringent vibration limitations during observation. Meeting these
requirements is facilitated by the compact mount riding on a robust pier which produces high natural frequencies, an
advanced control system to minimize vibration excitation and reaction mass dampers. The telescope mount design is an
altitude over azimuth welded and bolted assembly fabricated from mild steel. It supports the primary / tertiary mirror cell
assembly, the secondary mirror cell assembly and the camera assembly. The mount design enables the removal of these
optical assemblies for servicing and recoating. Retractable / deployable platforms have also been provided for accessing
the camera on telescope. As a result of the wide field of view, the optical system is unusually susceptible to stray light
consequently the mount must incorporate substantial light baffling. The dynamic characteristics of the steel reinforced
concrete pier were enhanced by utilizing two different wall thicknesses, an unusually large diameter of 16 meter and
anchoring the foundation in unweathered bedrock. The entire pier and mount assembly has been designed to be invariant
with azimuth and elevation angle to enhance the effectiveness of the advanced control system.
Paper Details
Date Published: 28 July 2010
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7733, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III, 77330F (28 July 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.857414
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7733:
Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III
Larry M. Stepp; Roberto Gilmozzi; Helen J. Hall, Editor(s)
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7733, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III, 77330F (28 July 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.857414
Show Author Affiliations
Douglas R. Neill, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (United States)
Victor L. Krabbendam, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (United States)
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7733:
Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III
Larry M. Stepp; Roberto Gilmozzi; Helen J. Hall, Editor(s)
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