Experiments at the W.M. Keck Observatory to support the Thirty Meter Telescope design work
Abstract
In order to validate various assumptions about the operating environment of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), to validate the modeling packages being used to guide the design work for the TMT and to directly investigate the expected operation of several subsystems we have embarked on an extensive campaign of environmental measurements at the Keck telescopes. We have measured and characterized the vibration environment around the observatory floor and at certain locations on the telescope over a range of operating conditions. Similarly the acoustic environment around the telescope and primary mirror has been characterized for frequencies above 2 Hz. The internal and external wind and temperature fields are being measured using combined sonic anemometer and PRT sensors. We are measuring the telescope position error and drive torque signals in order to investigate the wind induced telescope motions. A scintillometer mounted on the telescope is measuring the optical turbulence inside the telescope tube. This experimental work is supplemented by an extensive analysis of telescope and engineering sensor log files and measurements, primarily those of accelerometers located on the main telescope optics, primary mirror segment edge sensor error signals (residuals), telescope structure temperature measurements and the telescope status information.
Additional Information
© 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). The TMT project gratefully acknowledges the support of the TMT partner institutions. They are the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), the California Institute of Technology and the University of California. This work was supported as well by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, the National Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the U.S. National Science Foundation. We acknowledge the support of the WMKO Operations and Infrastructure Department supervisors and technicians, Observing Support Department supervisors and observing assistants, Technical Services Department designers and Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Officer.Attached Files
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 87848
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20180713-143754100
- Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA)
- Caltech
- University of California
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Canada Foundation for Innovation
- Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
- National Research Council of Canada
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund
- Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)
- NSF
- Created
-
2018-07-16Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2021-11-16Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Thirty Meter Telescope
- Series Name
- Proceedings of SPIE
- Series Volume or Issue Number
- 7733