TELESCOPE LASER ALIGNMENT SYSTEM

[Tom584]

I need to design/build/buy a laser alignment system for a 9.2 meter telescope. The primary mirror consists of 91 mirror segments. 90 segments are adjustable in tip, tilt and piston. The laser alignment system is for building and maintaining the telescope mount model. The assembly must fit at prime focus, a confined space of about 1 square meter located 13-meters above the primary mirror. The laser beam must be adjustable in six degrees of freedom using mirrors/mirror stages. The beam will be aligned to the telescope's optical axis using machine fit crosshairs in the spherical aberation corrector mirrors that are 13-meters above the primary mirror.<br>
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I am looking for ideas and references for building/buying such a device as well as possible suppliers of materials.<br>
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I am a mechanical engineer by training and trying to learn quickly enough optics to complete the above project.<br>
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Any input/ideas/help will be greatly appreciated.<br>
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V/R<br>
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Tom<br>
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<p>Tom Worthington<br><a href=mailtoworthi@astro.as.utexas.edu>pworthi@astro.as.utexas.edu</a><br><a href= > </a><br>

 

[Jerre]

This is a large telescope and requires an indepth knowledge of the mechanics as well as the optics. This is best left to the experienced telescope designers like Perkin Elmer or Bauch & Lomb.