| | | | 1024 x 683 | 1/2 | 1/4 size Dr. John Hill, Project Director of the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT).
The LBT is a collaboration between the Italian
astronomical community,
the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University,
the LBT Beteiligungsgesellschaft in Germany, The Ohio State University, Research
Corporation in Tucson, and the University of Notre Dame.
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| | | | 1024 x 683 | 1/2 | 1/4 size Dr. John Hill, LBT Project Director, describes the main components of the telescope.
HAC President Wayne Johnson listens intently. |
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| | | | 683 x 1024 | 1/2 | 1/4 size Dr. John Hill describes the main components of the LBT. The height of the LBT
bulding is 40 meters (131 feet) at the roofline.
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| | | | 1024 x 683 | 1/2 | 1/4 size Dr. John Hill explains how the LBT works. The telescope weighs about 580 metric tons (639 tons)
but can be rotated and pointed smoothly and precisely. |
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| | | | 1024 x 683 | 1/2 | 1/4 size The LBT uses an elevation over an azimuth mounting. The elevation optical support structure moves on two large C-shaped rings and the compact azimuth platform transmits the loads directly down to the pier. The two 8.4 meter (331 inch) diameter primary mirrors are mounted with a 14.4 meter center-center separation. By using swing arms to rotate the secondary mirrors and their supports, it is possible to switch the telescope from one mode of observation to another very quickly. The short focal length of the primary mirrors (f/1.142) permits a compact, and therefore quite stiff telescope structure. |
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| | | | 1024 x 683 | 1/2 | 1/4 size This is the "bell jar" used to coat the mirrors with aluminum. The bell jar is lifted
onto the mirrors through a hatch using a crane. |
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