16 - 21 June 2024
Yokohama, Japan
Conference 13094 > Paper 13094-26
Paper 13094-26

Thermal stabilization of the Large Millimeter Telescope

17 June 2024 • 14:20 - 14:40 Japan Standard Time | Room G403/404, North - 4F

Abstract

External environmental conditions lead to thermal deformations of the primary reflector of the 50-m diameter Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT). This paper describes efforts to improve the night-time performance of the telescope at millimeter-wavelengths and allow extension of scientific observations into daylight hours, using the LMT's active surface to counteract the effects of thermal gradients within the antenna structure. Several approaches to stabilizing the LMT’s thermal behavior will be described, including operation of a ventilation system in the antenna backup structure and a real-time metrology system to measure and correct large-scale, thermally induced, surface deformations.

Presenter

Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (United States)
F. Peter Schloerb is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the Project Director of UMass Amherst's participation in the Large Millimeter Telescope Project, and the leader of the effort to improve the antenna performance of the LMT.
Application tracks: Radio Astronomy
Presenter/Author
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (United States)
Author
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (United States)
Author
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica (Mexico)
Author
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (United States)
Author
David H. Hughes
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica (Mexico)
Author
José Luis Hernández Rebollar
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica (Mexico)
Author
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst (United States)
Author
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica (Mexico)