Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Mar 1988
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1988faom.work...91d&link_type=abstract
In NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Future Astronomical Observatories on the Moon p 91-92 (SEE N89-15810 07-89)
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Astronomical Observatories, Lunar Bases, Lunar Craters, Lunar Observatories, Radio Telescopes, Antenna Design, Lunar Gravitation, Lunar Temperature, Radio Astronomy, Reflector Antennas, Temperature Gradients
Scientific paper
The Arecibo-type radio telescope, based on a fixed spherical reflector, is a very effective design for a large radio telescope on the Moon. In such telescopes, major structural members are provided by the ground on which they are built, and thus are provided at no cost in materials or transportation. The strong compression members, the tall towers which support the suspended platform, are an expensive part of the Arecibo telescope. The need for such towers can be eliminated if a suitable valley or crater can be found wherein the rim of the depression can be used as the support point for the cables which support the suspended platform. With an Arecibo-type radio telescope on the Moon, there are no changing gravity loads because of the design and no changing wind loads because of the location; therefore, the only source of time variation in the telescope geometry is thermal changes. Calculations show that with conventional materials, such as steel, it should be possible to construct an Arecibo-type telescope with a reflector diameter of some 30 km on the Moon, and with a reflector diameter of some 60 to 90 km if materials of high specific strength are used.
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