Integration and handling of the VLT primary and secondary mirror systems

Gerhard Huedepohl; Roberto Tamai; German Ehrenfeld; S. Stranghellini; Maximilian Kraus

doi:10.1117/12.393900

2 August 2000 Integration and handling of the VLT primary and secondary mirror systems

Gerhard Huedepohl, Roberto Tamai, German Ehrenfeld, S. Stranghellini, Maximilian Kraus

Proceedings Volume 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393900
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The success of the VLT telescopes is largely linked to the excellent performance and reliability of the primary mirror and secondary mirror systems. By March 2000, three sets of these mirrors will have been successfully integrated, aligned, tuned and tested. As with all advanced and complex opto-mechanical systems, there has been the usual teething problems and trouble shooting. In addition the VLT primary mirrors, being a particularly thin and fragile meniscus, require careful manipulation during transport, installation in the M1 Cell and during the periodic removal for coating. During the VLT design, significant engineering effort was devoted to this problem. This has resulted in the design of dedicated subsystems and in the preparation of a series of procedures for mirror handling which are safe and practical.

Citation Download Citation

Gerhard Huedepohl, Roberto Tamai, German Ehrenfeld, S. Stranghellini, and Maximilian Kraus "Integration and handling of the VLT primary and secondary mirror systems", Proc. SPIE 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning, (2 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393900

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