Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope

Details Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope

May 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005sass...24..145b&link_type=abstract

The Society for Astronomical Sciences 24th Annual Symposium on Telescope Science, held May 24-26, 2005. Published by Society for

Physics

Optics

Scientific paper

Lowell Observatory is developing a 4.2-m wide-field telescope having signif- icant capabilities for solar system and broad spectrum astronomical research. The Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) will be able to switch between 2-deg- FOV imaging using a prime-focus camera and 30-arcmin-FOV instruments at Ritchey-Chrétien focus. The DCT is to be located 65 km SSE of Flagstaff, Arizona, at 2360m altitude. The site produces year-round median image quality of 0.84 arcsec, with a first-quartile averaging 0.61 arcsec. DCT will feature active optics and align-ment capability, and the prime focus camera will contain 40 2k x 4k CCDs. The maximum RC instrument payload of about 2300 kg will be suitable for large instruments or suites of co-mounted instruments. Preliminary mechanical and optical design has been completed and a concept design review took place in July 2004. The mirror has been cast and sagged, and provision is being made for eventual provision of a Nasmyth focus. The telescope is being developed in partnership with Discovery Communications, Inc., which will use it and the association with Lowell Observatory to devise educational programming about astronomy and technology. First light is expected in 2009. Lowell Observatory is seeking additional partnerships for DCT.

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