Siding Spring 2.3 m Telescope
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| Organisation | Australian National University |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Siding Spring Observatory |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Altitude | 1,165 m |
| Diameter | 2.3 m |
| Secondary dia. | 0.3 m |
| Focal length | f/2.05 |
| Mounting | Altazimuth mount |
| Dome | Co-rotating |
The 2.3 metre telescope at Siding Spring Observatory is operated by the Australian National University. The Advanced Technology Telescope was constructed during the early 1980s and featured at-the-time radical[citation needed] features: an unusually thin mirror, an alt-az mount and co-rotating dome.[1] The optical telescope has Altazimuth mount and a primary mirror with a field of view of f/2.05.[1] It is housed in a box-shaped building which rotates as the telescope tracks objects.
Instrumentation includes an integral field spectrograph known as WiFeS, a Nasmyth imager and a Cassegrain IR imager (CASPIR). The telescope is a workhorse for numerous large programs where it is used to winnow down candidate objects for more extensive observation at larger telescopes and is a valuable tool for training graduate students in the at-times black arts of observing.
History
The telescope was the initiative of Don Mathewson. It was inaugurated Prime Minister, Bob Hawke on 16 May 1984.[2] It was regarded as an achievement in high technology for Australia. In 1985, it won an award from the Institution of Engineers.[2]
Mirror
The mirror used in the telescope is much thinner than those typically used in a telescope mirror. Its ratio of diameter to thickness is about 20:1.[2] The light mirror and rotating design allows the telescope to be rapidly moved as observations are made.
