Design strategies for very large telescopes

Warren B. Davison

doi:10.1117/12.19258

1 July 1990 Design strategies for very large telescopes

Warren B. Davison

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19258
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

The reasons are presented for the high performance of the Columbus Project Telescope whose design is based on two short focal mirrors, large drive and support radii, and a short load path to the ground. The radius squared is argued to be the most important tool for the inprovement of performance in the large optical telescopes, since the stiffness of the mechanics is proportional to the radius at which they act squared. The six Columbus telescope finite element models show that optimization of a structure depends more on the initial conditions (radius squared) than the truss shape or elements. It is concluded that future exploitation of radius squared could lead to higher performance for the very large telescope.

Citation Download Citation

Warren B. Davison "Design strategies for very large telescopes", Proc. SPIE 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19258

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