Gilberto Moretto | Searcharxiv

arXiv1997

A corrector design using active vase mirrors that allows a fixed telescope to access a large region of the sky

We investigate whether a three-mirror system, having secondary and the tertiary mirrors with surfaces warped by Zernike polynomials generated by active vase mirrors, is suitable to do the corrections of a fixed parabolic mirror observing at large angles from the zenith. We obtain designs of correctors with remarkable images and control of the distortion of the field of the view contained within a field greater than 15 Deg.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Liquid Mirror Telescopes: A progress report

We review the present status of liquid mirror telescopes. Interferometric tests of liquid mirrors (the largest one having a diameter of 2.5 meters ) show excellent optical qualities. The basic technology is now sufficiently reliable that it can be put to work. Indeed, a handful of liquid mirrors have now been built that are used for scientific work. A 3.7-m diameter LMT is presently being built in the new Laval upgraded testing facilities. Construction of the mirror can be followed on the Web site: http://astrosun.phy.ulaval.ca/lmt/lmt- home.html. Finally we address the issue of the field accessible to LMTs equipped with novel optical correctors. Optical design work, and some exploratory laboratory work, indicate that a single LMT should be able to access, with excellent images, small regions anywhere inside fields as large as 45 degrees.

astro-ph↗