Afocal Mersenne telescope for teaching and research

Russell R. Mellon; Daniel L. Scheld; Robert E. Stencel

doi:10.1117/12.458674

4 February 2003 Afocal Mersenne telescope for teaching and research

Russell R. Mellon, Daniel L. Scheld, Robert E. Stencel

Proceedings Volume 4837, Large Ground-based Telescopes; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458674
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

A new 76.2-cm aperture handicapped accessible telescope exhibiting novel design features is nearing completion for installation within the Space Sciences Laboratory building on the main campus of the University of Denver. This Student Astronomy Laboratory (SAL) instrument incorporates a Coude’ optical path working in combination with a vertical periscope to bring the optical beam to a location inside a 4^th floor laboratory room, where visible and IR observations can be made. The primary and secondary mirrors are arranged in the afocal Mersenne configuration to provide a collimated, compacted beam that is folded through the rotating Right Ascension and Declination axes of the telescope mounting. A pair of optical flats then directs the compacted beam downward into the indoor laboratory, through visible or IR band auxiliary condensing telescopes, to locations where visual observers (including those in wheelchairs) or visible or IR instruments can be accommodated. The mounting uses large inner race diameter preloaded turntable bearings in each axis and provides a rotary stage at the payload flange to cancel image rotation associated with the Coude’ configuration. Long baseline interferometry is planned between the SAL and the DU Meyer-Womble Observatory on Mt. Evans, Colorado.

Citation Download Citation

Russell R. Mellon, Daniel L. Scheld, and Robert E. Stencel "Afocal Mersenne telescope for teaching and research", Proc. SPIE 4837, Large Ground-based Telescopes, (4 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458674

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KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Space telescopes

Infrared telescopes

Mirrors

Observatories

Visible radiation

Infrared imaging

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