RESEARCH STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF 1 METRE-MIRROR FOR MOON TRACKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Abstract

The optical equipment for the 43-inch telescope was delivered and installed at the Observatoire du Pic-du-Midi in November 1961. Extensive optical tests on the 43-inch mirror revealed the optical surface to be correct within ! lambda/20 over 90% of its effective arc; slightly larger deviations were encountered only within the last 7-cm of its free aperture. The first photographs of the Moon, secured with the aid of this mirror in a f/15 Cassegrain combination are of excellent quality and augur well for the future. The Secasi oscillator to control the drive of the 43-inch telescope was delivered and functions to specifications. The infra-red pyrometer for measurements of the lunar and planetary temperatures was designed and built in our laboratories t Manchester, and used during winter months for the studies of lunar temper ture distribution in the neighbourhood of certain ray craters. The results revealed the crater floors to be cooler in daytime that their surroundings by several degrees. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0292741

Entities

People

  • Zdenek Kopal

Organizations

  • University of Manchester

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cameras
  • Communication Equipment
  • Image Projectors
  • Measurement
  • Optical Equipment
  • Optical Magnification Devices
  • Oscillators
  • Photographic Equipment
  • Photographic Materials
  • Photographic Projectors
  • Photographs
  • Photography
  • Pyrometers
  • Specifications
  • Telescopes

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris