Precision of radio reflector surfaces adjusted from theodolite-tape measurements

Abstract

The authors analyse the surface errors of five reflectors of millimetre and centimetre wavelength radiotelescopes which were initially adjusted from theodolite-tape measurements. The initial adjustment of the millimetre-wavelength reflectors was later measured more precisely by radio holography. All reflectors had systematic ring-like zone deviations and superimposed random deviations of Gaussian distribution of which the dispersion increases towards the reflector rim. Such spatially nonuniform surface errors are typical for adjustments from theodolite-tape measurements.