The Magellan Telescopes: a performance update

Povilas Palunas; David Floyd; Glenn Eychaner; David J. Osip; Paul Schechter

doi:10.1117/12.857805

4 August 2010 The Magellan Telescopes: a performance update

Povilas Palunas, David Floyd, Glenn Eychaner, David J. Osip, Paul Schechter

Proceedings Volume 7733, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III; 77331I (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857805
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Magellan Baade and Clay telescopes regularly produce images of ~0.5" in natural seeing. We review efforts to improve collimation, active optics response, and telescope guiding and pointing to optimize the performance of the telescopes. Procedures have been developed to monitor and analyze image quality delivered by the imaging science instruments. Improved models have been developed to correct for flexure of the telescope and primary mirror under gravity loading. Collimation has been improved using a "two-probe" Shack-Hartman technique to measure field aberrations. Field acquisition performance has been improved by implementing an open loop model for the primary mirror control. Telescope pointing has been improved by regular monitoring and adjustments to improve acquisition times.

Citation Download Citation

Povilas Palunas, David Floyd, Glenn Eychaner, David J. Osip, and Paul Schechter "The Magellan Telescopes: a performance update", Proc. SPIE 7733, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III, 77331I (4 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857805

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