The performance of the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope

Abstract

The Astrophysical Research Consortium 3.5 m telescope facility on Apache Point (2800 m above sea level) near the National Solar Observatory in southern New Mexico is nearing completion. The telescope mount has been installed and testing and fabrication of remaining subassemblies are underway. Thef/1.75 lightweight honeycomb primary mirror was cast April 1988 by the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory and is currently being figured.

The 3.5 m optical telescope is an altitude over azimuth mechanical structure with Ritchey-Chrétien optics. The lightweight (1800 kg) mirror leads to a mount weighting only 41000 kg; readily available rolling element bearings are used to achieve the necessary performance at low cost and without the heat dissipation of externally pressurized types. Drive torques are applied by DC servo-driven capstans. These are coupled by friction to large diameter drive disks on each axis. No gears are used. Position feedback comes from low cost incremental encoders, also capstan coupled.

We have recently completed a series of measurements of the telescope mount. These measurements show that the telescope is very stiff; the lowest natural frequencies are about 7.2 Hz. Initial tracking performance is good and the mount shows high resistance to wind-induced vibration. Our experience during acceptance testing suggests that routine power spectral analysis of drive motor torque and other parameters could be an important tool in the early detection of failures.