Conversion of the MMT to a 6.5-m telescope: the optics su

摘要

Abstract: The Multiple Mirror Telescope, located on Mt. Hopkins AZ, previously used an array of six telescopes on a single mount to achieve an effective aperture of 4.5 m. It is now being converted to a 6.5-m telescope with a single primary. The design for the converted telescope includes provision for three interchangeable secondaries. Difficulties and risk associated with handling large mirrors dictated that the realuminizing of the 6.5-m primary be performed in-place. This requires the use of an onboard vacuum chamber. The observing chamber in the rotating observatory building had to be enlarged to accommodate the longer telescope, and sliding doors were built into the rear wall to improve air circulation through the chamber. Described are the objectives, constraints, and the development of the design, from concept to implementation, of the Optics Support Structure for the 6.5-m telescope. Also described are the modifications to the observatory building.!8