Analysis of Thermal Conditions of the 6-m BTA Telescope Elements and the Telescope Dome Space

摘要

The results obtained using the temperature monitoring systems of the 6-m BTAtelescope primary mirror, dome space, and external environment are reported. Weconsider the factors that affect the development of microturbulence in thenear-mirror air layer and inside the dome space, variation of the telescopefocal length with the temperature of its structures, variation of seeing due totemperature gradients inside the primary mirror of the 6-m telescope. Themethods used in various observatories for reducing microturbulence areanalyzed. We formulate suggestions concerning the improvement of thetemperature monitoring system currently in operation and the system ofautomatic adjustment of the telescope focal length to compensate the thermaldrift of the focus during observations.