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Link to mount performance, dome info, zones of avoidance, etc.

Link to WOLM description and active optics (focus offsets rather than actual focus piston, etc.)


Active Optics System / Wavefront Sensing


LDT (formerly DCT) Selected Technical Publications & References (full papers)

Lowell Discovery Telescope

Azimuth-Elevation Mount, rotates freely within the dome

Primary Mirror:

  • Diameter: 4.3m

  • Focal ratio: f/1.9

  • Thickness: 4 inches

  • Composition: Ultra-low expansion (ULE) glass, thin meniscus

  • Supported:

    • laterally by 36 pneumatic actuators

    • axially by 120 electromechanical actuators

Secondary Mirror:

  • Diameter: 1.4m

  • Supported by:

    • three axial definers

    • central radial defining hub

    • tangent defining strap

    • modest partial vacuum (approximately -0.25 psig)

Ritchey–Chrétien (RC) Focus:

  • Effective focal ratio: f/6.1

  • Corrected (flattened) FOV: 30' x 30'

  • Plate Scale:  8" / mm

Instrument Ports:

  • The RC Instrument Cube supports the simultaneous mounting of up to 5 different instruments.

    • Through Port: Sits behind the 2-element field-flattening corrector lens.

    • 2 Large folded (side) ports fed by moveable fold mirrors.

    • 2 Small folded (side) ports fed by moveable fold mirror / dichroic.