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Telescopes continued… Why is bigger better? Two reasons…

Published byCassandra McDonald Modified over 9 years ago

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Presentation on theme: "Telescopes continued… Why is bigger better? Two reasons…"— Presentation transcript:

1 Telescopes continued… Why is bigger better? Two reasons…

2 (1) Light-gathering power Depends on the area of the objective mirror (or lens) Compare 16-inch to our 10-inch scopes:

3 (2) Resolution of telescopes Angular resolution depends on telescope diameter (D) and signal wavelength (λ): Rayleigh criterion: Θ min ~ λ / D

4 Some numbers … For optical wavelengths, Θ in arc-seconds, and D in inches it works out to Θ min ~ 4.5 / D Example: for your 10-inch telescopes, Θ min ~ 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.

5 Mayal 4-m McMath solar telescope Wynn Near Tucson Tax supported with other consortia, too Nice public program Tucson: good lighting Kitt Peak National Observatory

6 Mayal 4-meter

7 McMath solar telescope

8 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 …. The MMT (Mt. Hopkins, SE AZ)

9 New MMT 6.5-meter

10 Also on Hopkins: LBT Large Binocular Telescope Twin 8.4-m mirrors Optical interferometry Will image extrasolar planets

11 And: VATT & SMT Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope Univ. Arizona Sub- Millimeter Telescope

12 Mauna Kea, Hawaii – Keck, Gemini, Suabaru, NASA, and others

13 Gemini (North) 8-m Telescope …

14 8-meter spin-cast mirror

15 Twin Keck 10-m Telescopes

16 Keck segmented primary mirror

17 European Southern Observatory (Chile) Why the shift to southern hemisphere? VLT four 8-m’s

18 European Southern Observatory 3.6-m

19 Cerro Tololo nearby with the Blanco 4-m, a twin to Kitt Peak 4-m

20 DuPont 2.5-m also there Supporting this closed Mt. Wilson 100-inch

21 Gemini South and SOAR on nearby Cerro Pachỏn

22 Gemini South

23 SOAR = Southern Observatory for Astrophysical Research How’s it coming?... UNC-CH (17%) and others PROMPT …

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