Magellan 6.5m Telescopes
Two 6.5 meter Baade and Clay optical reflecting telescope mounts were manufactured during the 1990’s by L&F Industries, Huntington Park CA., for The Carnegie Institute of Washington DC. This space is a pictorial history of the instruments this blogger documented during final assembly "Where Precision Was A Way Of Life"
Thursday, January 20, 2022
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.
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Terry King, engineer in the basket |
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Ready for packaging
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Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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.