DAG 4m telescope: optics completion, on-site integration and test

Abstract

AMOS with EIE as main subcontractor has recently completed the erection of the 4 m telescope located at the Turkish Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG) set up by the Ataturk University Astrophysics Research and Application Centre (ATASAM) of Erzurum. The telescope design is based on a Ritchey-Chrétien configuration with two folded Nasmyth focal planes and a focal length of 56m. The optical train is composed of three mirrors: the primary mirror (M1) with an optical aperture of 4m, a convex secondary mirror (M2), and a large flat folding mirror (M3). Diffraction-limited performances in optical and near infrared spectral bands will be achieved thanks to the combination of active and adaptive optics systems. The active optics system is controlling the shape of the primary mirror by means of 66 axial force actuators and position actively the secondary and tertiary mirrors by means of hexapods. The adaptive optics system will be implemented at one of the two Nasmyth ports. As main contractor, AMOS is in charge of the overall project management, the system engineering, the optical design and the active optics development. As main sub-contractor and partner of AMOS, EIE is in charge of the development of the mount. Following the factory acceptance in Europe, the telescope was dismounted and delivered in early 2021. The activities onsite were carried out according to the assembly, integration and verification plan (AIV plan). In the meantime, the fabrication of the 4 m primary mirror was completed, and the full set of mirrors was forwarded on-site before the end of the year 2021. In this paper is presented a brief description of the design and performances of the telescope followed by the project progress status at the time the optics are being integrated in the telescope for the first time. This includes the review of the mirrors as-built quality and the excepted performances of the telescope mount after alignment and tuning. The path forward final acceptance is explained with the presentation of the optical alignment method and the test carried-out on-sky.