Enclosure of the Large Binocular Telescope

Piero Salinari; John M. Hill

doi:10.1117/12.176210

1 June 1994 Enclosure of the Large Binocular Telescope

Piero Salinari, John M. Hill

Proceedings Volume 2199, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes V; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.176210
Event: 1994 Symposium on Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1994, Kailua, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

We describe the enclosure of the Large Binocular Telescope, now in a detailed design phase. The enclosure is co-rotating with the telescope, includes a service floor carrying all telescope utilities, and is characterized by two large portal shutters, which open laterally leaving the air flow at the front and at the back of the telescope essentially unobstructed. Large louvers on the side walls and wind shields with variable permeability at the front and back openings are used to control the air flow in different wind conditions. The inner and outer surfaces of the enclosure are designed to obtain short thermal time constant and close equilibrium with ambient air. Forced air circulation in the outer skin of the enclosure is used for better heat exchange and, with electrical heaters, for melting snow. The interaction of the whole building with the natural air flow in conditions representative of those encountered at the specific site on Mt. Graham was the subject of extensive water channel measurements on a model of the building and of the surrounding environment. The flow patterns obtained in the simulations show no mixing of lower air layers with those at the level of the primary mirrors or above. The handling scheme for large equipment, including the primary mirror cells and the bell-jar for aluminizing of the mirrors on board the telescope, is based on a large bridge crane that can transfer instruments and maintenance equipment to the telescope and to the service floor from the storage and maintenance area at ground level.

Citation Download Citation

Piero Salinari and John M. Hill "Enclosure of the Large Binocular Telescope", Proc. SPIE 2199, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes V, (1 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.176210

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available