Liquid mirror telescopes - Observations with a 1 meter diameter prototype and scaling-up considerations

Computer Science – Sound

Scientific paper

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Mirrors, Prototypes, Telescopes, Coriolis Effect, Point Spread Functions, Wind Effects

Scientific paper

We have constructed a 1 m diameter prototype liquid mirror telescope. We have observed stars and obtained a large number of star trails. The telescope seems satisfactory as it yields images of the order of 2", typical of a sea level site in the northeast of the North American continent. The point spread function has extended wings containing about 30% of the light. This is caused by vibrations communicated to the mirror from a nearby building; this defect should not be present on an isolated mountain site. We consider scaling the mirror up to a 30 m diameter, concluding that the effect of curvature and of the Coriolis force due to the rotation of Earth should not cause problems. We discuss the effects that rotation-induced winds would have on the surface of large mirrors. The observations confirm the results of the 1985 optical shop tests of Borra and colleagues; the basic concept of the liquid mirror appears thus sound.

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