Title :
Active control systems for large segmented optical mirrors
Author_Institution :
W. M. Keck Obs., Kamuela, HI, USA
fDate :
8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A new generation of optical telescopes is on the drawing board. These will be true giants with primary mirrors having a diameter of up to 100 metres. The technology that will enable this revolution to take place was developed at the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, where the world´s largest segmented mirrors are in daily use. This article looks at how the W. M. Keck Observatory proved the mirror technology that will be behind this new generation of telescopes
Keywords :
DC motors; astronomical telescopes; electric actuators; mirrors; DC motor actuators; Hawaii; W. M. Keck Observatory; active control systems; optical telescopes; primary mirrors; segmented optical mirrors; segmented-mirror support systems; segmented-mirror telescopes;
Journal_Title :
Engineering Science and Education Journal
DOI :
10.1049/esej:20020403
