OSS Tripod's

This is one of two giant East/West azimuth disc tripods weighing 45,000 pounds each that attach to the North/South Azimuth disc assemblies. Atop the tripod is where the altitude disc's ride on a thin film of oil. All of these parts make one feel small.

 

West tripod

 

Bottom view of tripod showing hydrostatic bearing hydraulic lines.

 

West Altitude Disc

You can begin to see the size and scope of the stack up of very large components!

Altitude Disc's

Two altitude disc's, one on each end of the center section weighing 33,500 pounds each give the OSS mount the ability to rotate the primary mirror from horizon to zenith positions. The flat and radius hydro-static bearing surfaces are precision ground for friction free ultra smooth motion. Very high torque ultra low speed DC drive motor assemblies do the work of positioning and following galaxies far far away.

 

Altitude disc assembly with Nasmyth optical wheel mounted at center. The thin

part mounted at bottom is the hardened altitude drive motor arch.

This photo shows the contact point of the center section assembly. Notice

the raised rectangular ground surface. Also 3 lock pin receptacle ports.

 

Mirror cell cooling system mounted on altitude disc.

Forced air ducting to equalize ambient temp throughout OSS.

 

OSS lock pin actuator