The second primary mirror was installed in January 2006 and became fully operational in January 2008. The telescope was dedicated in October 2004 and saw first light with a single primary mirror on Octowhich viewed NGC 891. The telescope was designed by a group of Italian firms, and assembled by Ansaldo in its Milanese plant. This feature is along one axis with the LBTI instrument at wavelengths of 2.9–13 micrometres, which is the near infrared. Also, an interferometric mode will be available, with a maximum baseline of 22.8 meters (75 ft) for aperture synthesis imaging observations and a baseline of 15 meters (49 ft) for nulling interferometry. This area is equivalent to an 11.8-meter (460 in) circular aperture, which would be greater than any other single telescope, but it is not comparable in many respects since the light is collected at a lower diffraction limit and is not combined in the same way. The collecting area is two 8.4 meter aperture mirrors, which works out to about 111 m 2 combined. The telescope design has two 8.4 m (330 inch) mirrors mounted on a common base, hence the name " binocular." LBT takes advantage of active and adaptive optics, provided by Arcetri Observatory. ![]() The LBT was originally named the "Columbus Project." It is a joint project of these members: the Italian astronomical community represented by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, the University of Arizona, University of Minnesota, University of Notre Dame, University of Virginia, the LBT Beteiligungsgesellschaft in Germany ( Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Landessternwarte in Heidelberg, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Munich and Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn) Ohio State University and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement based in Tucson, AZ. ![]() Strehl ratios of 60–90% in the infrared H band and 95% in the infrared M band have been achieved by the LBT. ![]() It has the largest monolithic, or non- segmented, mirror in an optical telescope. The LBT mirrors individually are the joint second- largest optical telescope in continental North America, next to the Hobby–Eberly Telescope in West Texas. When using both 8.4 m (330 inch) wide mirrors, with centres 14.4 m apart, the LBT has the same light-gathering ability as a 11.8 m (464 inch) wide single circular telescope and the resolution of a 22.8 m (897 inch) wide one. It is a part of the Mount Graham International Observatory. Twice in 13 years this observatory has survived two major fires on the mountain.The Large Binocular Telescope ( LBT) is an optical telescope for astronomy located on 10,700-foot (3,300 m) Mount Graham, in the Pinaleno Mountains of southeastern Arizona, United States. When their light is combined it forms the light gathering capability of a mirror equivalent to 11.8 meters, making it one of the largest telescopes in the United States. The Large Binocular Telescope uses two large 8.4 meter mirrors. ![]() There are also many clear nights and low light pollution levels available for observing in the deserts of southern Arizona. The high altitude puts the Large Binocular Telescope above much of the atmosphere allowing it to take clearer images. Observatories are often built on top of tall mountains that are located in desert locations. Though it was warm at the base of the mountain we experienced snow at the top before coming back down. From the base of the mountain to the top was a 6300 foot climb. My brother in law and I met the engineer at the appointed time and started our long winding drive up the mountain. The Large Binocular Telescope is part of the Mount Graham International Observatory and is located on 10,719 foot Mount Graham near Safford Arizona.Īfter contacting the engineer we set a time to take the tour. While visiting my wife’s family in Safford Arizona I learned that a member of her family knew one of the chief engineers at the Large Binocular Telescope and that he was willing to give me a tour of that facility.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |