A new adaptive secondary mirror for astronomy on the University of Hawaii 2.2-meter telescope

Description

We are developing a new adaptive secondary mirror (ASM) for the University of Hawaii 2.2-meter telescope based on a novel and very efficient hybrid variable reluctance actuator developed by TNO. The actuator technology has broad implications on the ASM design and results in an ASM with a thicker facesheet, lower power dissipation, and simple controls. We report here preparations and plans for lab testing as well as on-sky demonstration of the ASM. The lab calibrations of the ASM influence functions will use a phase measuring deflectometry setup. The on-sky tests will include the evaluation of the use of the ASM for narrow field AO observations at visible through near infrared wavelengths, for very wide fields of view ground-layer adaptive optics, and for seeing limited non-adaptive optics observations.

Abstract

International audience

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