Abstract
The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) on Mt. Graham in Southeastern Arizona uses two 8.4-meter diameter primary mirrors mounted side-by-side to produce a collecting area equivalent to an 11.8-meter circular aperture. We describe our use of active optics with the honeycomb primary mirrors to provide focussing, collimation and low-order active wavefront correction for the two prime focus cameras now operating on the telescope. We use a custom IDL program, LBCFPIA, to geometrically analyze extrafocal pupils in order to determine focus and wavefront corrections through third-order spherical aberration. We also describe that section of the telescope control system which manages primary mirror collimation and accepts wavefront correction requests from the instrument. We present active optics results obtained during commissioning of the prime focus cameras and during science observations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
