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Moving Optical Systems of IRAIT: Design and Construction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2007

J. Colomé*
Affiliation:
Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), Barcelona, Spain
C. Abia
Affiliation:
Dpto. Física Teórica y del Cosmos, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
I. Domínguez
Affiliation:
Dpto. Física Teórica y del Cosmos, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
J. Isern
Affiliation:
Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), Barcelona, Spain Institut de Ciències de l'Espai (CSIC-IEEC), Barcelona, Spain
G. Tosti
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
M. Busso
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
G. Nucciarelli
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
F. Roncella
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
O. Straniero
Affiliation:
INAF – Osservatorio di Teramo, Teramo, Italy
M. Dolci
Affiliation:
INAF – Osservatorio di Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Abstract

The IRAIT (International Robotic Antarctic Infrared Telescope) project (Tosti et al. , 2006, Proc. 6267-29 V. 2) is based on a 80 cm aperture telescope to observe in the infrared range. It is due to start operations in spring 2008, several months after installation in Dome C (Antarctica). We present the contributions made to such project by the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the University of Granada, whose participation is mainly focused in developing the moving optical system for the secondary (M2) and tertiary (M3) mirrors of the telescope. Moving parts of the optical system provide focusing and chopping capabilities, implemented in M2, and a rotation mechanism, implemented in M3, allow observation in either Nasmyth foci. The work package includes the design and construction of both mirrors, the mechanical supports, the electronics and the control software, all prepared to work at the low temperatures at Antarctica. A Spanish company, NTE, was contracted to carry out the design and manufacture. Tests at low temperature and integration in the telescope have been done during summer 2006.


Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2007

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