Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T00:30:13.636Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seeing Degradation within the Anglo-Australian Telescope Dome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2016

Sean G. Ryan
Affiliation:
Anglo-Australian Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, NSW 2121, Australia. sgr@aaoepp.aao.gov.au
Peter R. Wood
Affiliation:
Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Private Bag, Weston Creek PO, ACT 2611, Australia. wood@mso.anu.edu.au

Abstract

Recent seeing measurements at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) point towards the thermal characteristics of the telescope itself, in particular the temperature difference between the mirror and the dome air, as the most important factor degrading the seeing, more so than the temperature difference between the inside and outside air. We present the findings, propose clarifying experiments, and discuss possible remedies. We set the realistic target for the AAT to achieve median seeing of 1·5″ rather than the current 1·8″.

Type
Instruments, Techniques and Basic Measurements
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Boyle, B., & Sadler, E. 1989, AAO Newsletter No. 48 January (AAO Newsletter No. 48 January-Australian Observatory)Google Scholar
Gascoigne, S.C.B., Proust, K. M., & Robins, M.O. 1990, The Creation of the Anglo-Australian Observatory (Cambridge: University Press)Google Scholar
Gillingham, P. 1978, AAT Dome Seeing—A Progress Report (Anglo-Australian Observatory)Google Scholar
Gillingham, P. 1984, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes II, SPIE Vol. 444, 165 Google Scholar
Gillingham, P. 1993, personal communicationGoogle Scholar
Lowne, C. M. 1979, MNRAS, 188, 249 Google Scholar
Racine, R., Salmon, D., Cowley, D., & Sovka, J. 1991, PASP, 103, 1020 Google Scholar
Ryan, S. G. 1994, Preliminary Results from AAT Thermal Measurements, 26 July-17 August 1994 (Anglo-Australian Observatory)Google Scholar
Sadler, E., Harrison, S., & Lee, S. 1991, AAO Observers’ Guide, AAO UM1.4 (Anglo-Australian Observatory)Google Scholar
ten Brummelaar, T. A., Tango, W. J., Davis, J., & Shobbrook, R. R. 1994, SPIE meeting, Kona, March 1994 (preprint)Google Scholar
Wood, P. R., Rodgers, A. W., & Russell, K. S. 1995, PASA, 12, 97 Google Scholar
Wood, P. R., & Ryan, S. G. 1995, PASA, 12, 95 Google Scholar