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Transcript
Telescopes continued… Why is bigger better? Two reasons… (1) Light-gathering power • Depends on the area of the objective mirror (or lens) • Compare 16-inch to our 10-inch scopes: (2) Resolution of telescopes • Angular resolution depends on telescope diameter (D) and signal wavelength (λ): Rayleigh criterion: Θmin ~ λ / D Some numbers … For optical wavelengths, Θ in arc-seconds, and D in inches it works out to Θmin ~ 4.5 / D Example: for your 10-inch telescopes, Θmin ~ 4.5/ 10 = 0.45 arc-sec (note garage sale signs…) Above for diffraction-limited situations like space telescopes. Our atmospheric limits actual results. Overcome atmospheric limits with active optics. Kitt Peak National Observatory Mayal 4-m Wynn •Near Tucson •Tax supported with other consortia, too •Nice public program •Tucson: good lighting McMath solar telescope Mayal 4-meter McMath solar telescope The MMT (Mt. Hopkins, SE AZ) Originally separate mirrors as shown here Whole building rotates Operated by the Smithsonian Institution, founded with funds from British scientist James Smithson, who bequeathed his fortune to America for the creation of an institute for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Now looks like …. New MMT 6.5-meter Also on Hopkins: LBT • Large Binocular Telescope • Twin 8.4-m mirrors • Optical interferometry • Will image extrasolar planets And: VATT & SMT • Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope • Univ. Arizona SubMillimeter Telescope Mauna Kea , Hawaii – Keck, Gemini, Suabaru, NASA, and others Gemini (North) 8-m Telescope … 8-meter spin-cast mirror Twin Keck 10-m Telescopes Keck segmented primary mirror European Southern Observatory (Chile) VLT four 8-m’s Why the shift to southern hemisphere? European Southern Observatory 3.6-m Cerro Tololo nearby with the Blanco 4-m, a twin to Kitt Peak 4-m DuPont 2.5-m also there Supporting this closed Mt. Wilson 100-inch Gemini South and SOAR on nearby Cerro Pachỏn Gemini South SOAR = Southern Observatory for Astrophysical Research UNC-CH (17%) and others How’s it coming?... PROMPT …