Revitalizing the LNA 1.6-m telescope with a versatile instrument support module

摘要

In recent years, much astronomical observation has migrated to large shared facilities in excellent locations, e.g. Gemini, Keck, VLT, etc., often leaving underutilized smaller telescopes such as the 1.6M at the Brazilian National Observatory Pico Dos Dias (OPD). This is unfortunate, because research can often be done more cost-effectively on such telescopes, saving time on larger facilities. Smaller telescopes are also good platforms for the development and testing of new instruments. We have designed a new facility Instrument Support Module for the 1.6M. It will be under construction soon and should significantly increase the usefulness of the telescope at relatively low cost. The design is modular and incorporates a number of features. These include the capability of switching between up to four simultaneously mounted instruments; an inexpensive corrector that improves image quality and increases field size; a tip-tilt liquid prism; continuous auto focus; a facility guide/tip-tilt camera; a comparison lamp projector; and a target acquisition camera. This paper describes the design of the ISM and tests being performed to determine if the seeing of the site warrants building the tip-tilt module. The ISM design is straightforward and would be relatively easy to adapt for use on similar telescopes.