Radio Telescope Constructions in View of Thermal Aspects

Abstract

A radio telescope operates with good performance if all relevant factors remain stable for a considerable period of time. Adverse influences may arise from gravity, temperature, and wind. They affect the focus, the pointing, the reflector surface, and the path length. Corrections can be made from pointing and focus measurements that may, however, consume a substantial part of the observing time. Telescopes with active main reflector or subreflector surface can, in addition, upgrade the performance from temperature monitoring and/or metrology measurements and subsequent real time actuator control.¹