Jim Roberts
McDonald Observatory Davis Mountains
N 30 68.084', W 103 01.502';
Elevation 6602.3’ (at HET)
Content:
(A and B) Select views of the telescope domes at McDonald Observatory. (C and D) Inside the dome where the business end of the telescope is located. Note the gold coating in figure D where the liquid nitrogen cooling is taking place. E shows one of the dwellings used by the resident astronomers at the observatory. F shows the participants listening to a short lecture and description of the function of the telescope. The GPS unit showed an altitude of 6752 ft for the mountain where the two domes are located.
Early morning on the mountain. Cool temperatures made a walk around the area very pleasant for the visitors.
The mechanical works that controls the 82” telescope are a marvel in engineering to make sure that the telescope stays on target. The instrument is computer controlled.
Left) Looking out the window of the dome with the telescope.(Right) Inside the control room where the images are collected and displayed on television and computer monitors.
(Right) The vacuum chamber where the mirror for the telescope is resurfaced periodically. Usually the mirror needs to be cleaned and resurfaced each one and a half years.
An impressive view up the mountain toward the big telescope.
A close up view of the Hobby-Eberly telescope with the teacher participants ready to enter the dome.
Visiting the Hobby-Eberly multimirror telescope. Left is the dome with the focus center in the column to the right of the dome. This column serves to keep the mirrors properly aligned during collection of light with the telescope. Right is a picture of the partially silvered mirror element showing reflection and the driving system behind it. Cheryl is demonstrating the reflecting surface along with her direct view. Half of the mirror reflecting surface has been removed to show the control mechanisms behind each mirror to guide them to focus and coordinate the light.
Marc showing us how the big telescopes work.
The Hobby-Eberly telescope “floats” on special inner tubes that cushion it to reduce vibration of the assembly of mirrors. Only one tube has failed in the time that the telescope has been in operation.
Two views of the mirrors and supporting framework for the Hobby-Eberly multi-mirror telescope at Mc Donald Observatory.
For more information see: http://www.as.utexas.edu/mcdonald/het/het.html
(Left) A view outside the dome. (Right) A view inside the dome with the attachments to the telescope in place.
(Left) Analog dials to provide right ascension and elevation for the telescope. Modern telescope read out is provided by digital systems.
Reflection:
At the end of the tour everyone expressed the feeling that: ”A goof time was had by all”.
A wonderful place to visit and study the heavens.
Monday, June 5, 2006
