 |
1.0m
Telescope & Facility |
|
|
 |
|
Dream was hired by Elektra
Observatories in April 2008 to design a 1m telescope and
facility. |
|
|
This 1m f2.5 corrected prime focus system will hold
a very unique
place in the world. |
|
It will use the world's
largest single chip CCD camera: 95mm x 95mm. The back-thinned
chip boasts a QE greater than 90% and with 16 read ports can
download the 111Mp image within 20s. Cooling to -100C creates
only 2 electrons of noise per 60 minutes of exposure time, therefore
iliminating the need and loss of throughput associated with dark
frames. |
|
|
You can learn much more about this powerful telescope
on Elektra's
dedicated web site. |
|
Be sure to view the CAD
animation . |
|
|
|
|
As with all Dream products, carbon fiber skinned sandwich core is used extensively.
This gives not only the telescope sub components and structure
great thermal stability, stiffness
and low mass, but also the enclosure as well. This will give
the facility unrivaled stability through seasons and over time
because of the material's inherent ability to hold tolerances. |
|
These advanced materials will resist corrosion and
will experience almost no fatigue from thermal cycling. All of
these advanced
composite structures will require less power to operate as
well, due to their far lower masses, which is one of many driving
factors of this project. |
|
|
The carbon fiber telescope uses a cellular
primary mirror. |
|
The primary mirror will weigh approximately 150 lbs.,
but will be greater than 5.5" thick. |
|
 |
|
|
 1m telescope, 40" telescope,
40" primary mirror, 40" mirror, 1m mirror |
|
The rendering to the left compares the 1m to the 0.4m
(16") Dream Astrograph
on Paramount ME. |
|
|
The enclosure
has a host of unique features that minimize its thermal footprint.
Please review this
page to see how important seeing is on image efficiency. |
|
|
|
|
|
m mirror |
|
Click below to see views of
the telescope. |
 |
|
|
|
|
The entire facility will initially
be installed on the same property as Dream's 2200 square foot
shop. Extensive and additive testing of all components will be
carried out at Dream, prior to shipping it to its very dark final
location (6 hours north of Dream).
By testing each installed component and eventually first light
image testing here at Dream, we are greatly limiting the amount
of time installation at the observatory site will require. Troubleshooting
here at Dream is much more efficient than from a remote location.
This procedure helps to greatly reduce the amount of time it
will take to bring the facility, in its final location, on line. |
|
|
|
|
