Open House - April 2000

Magellan II - 90,000 man hours, 400,000 pounds later!

Wife Kelly and daughter Amanda

Baade & Clay Telescopes 2

 

Photo courtesy GMT YouTube Channel

Primary Mirror Cell

The big 6.5 meter eye needs a big support system. Though we didn't get to see or install the primary mirror, we designed, fabricated and installed the 33,000 pound mirror support cell on the OSS. Large light reflecting telescopes require they're large mirrors to be able to deflect its parabolic surface in various zones to precise measurements in order to adjust and focus where the scientist needs to produce the best quality image possible. This is done by the use of sophisticated electronic force actuators mounted at the back side of the mirror. You will notice hundreds of precision holes machined on the flat face of the cell. This is where these actuators are mounted.

	Terry King, engineer in the basket
	Ready for packaging

Secondary Ring

The secondary ring is an electro-mechanical system that supports and manipulates the Cassegrain mirror high above the primary mirror. It is the highest component on the OSS at zenith position. It consists of 4 ring sections, 8 vanes and 4 vane end actuators. The system allows for active optics to fine tune the focus of the telescope for best image resolution and clarity.

 

Secondary ring being positioned for installation onto the OSS.

Martin Diaz, Larry Carr and Terry King presiding.

1	2
3	4

 

1) Secondary ring approaching the OSS support beams ever so slowly. Notice the vane end actuators are pre-mounted

2) Two of four vane end actuators

3) Close up of Cassegrain vane cantilever's

4) Cassegrain mirror mount. This is the item that is suspended above the large primary mirror 

and mounted to the secondary ring with precision vanes.