California Extremely Large Telescope: Conceptual Design for a Thirty-Meter Telescope
Abstract
Following great success in the creation of the Keck Observatory, scientists at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California have begun to explore the scientific and technical prospects for a much larger telescope. The Keck telescopes will remain the largest telescopes in the world for a number of years, with many decades of forefront research ahead after that. Though these telescopes have produced dramatic discoveries, it is already clear that even larger telescopes must be built if we are to address some of the most profound questions about our universe. The time required to build a larger telescope is approximately ten years, and the California community is presently well-positioned to begin its design and construction. The same scientists who conceived, led the design, and guided the construction of the Keck Observatory have been intensely engaged in a study of the prospects for an extremely large telescope. Building on our experience with the Keck Observatory, we have concluded that the large telescope is feasible and is within the bounds set by present-day technology. Our reference telescope has a diameter of 30 meters, the largest size we believe can be built with acceptable risk. The project is currently designated the California Extremely Large Telescope (CELT).
Additional Information
Participants Preface Executive Summary 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Scientific Motivation 3. Telescope Performance Specifications 4. Optical Design 5. Primary Mirror 6. Secondary and Tertiary Mirrors 7. Telescope Structure 8. Optics Alignment 9. Adaptive Optics 10. Scientific Instrumentation 11. Expected Image and Wavefront Quality 12. Observatory Dome and Facilities 13. Site Selection 14. Computer Software and HardwareAttached Files
Submitted - CELTgreenbook2002.pdf
Files
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Additional details
- Alternative title
- CELT Report Number 34
- Eprint ID
- 46821
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140703-135258516
- Created
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2014-07-07Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2019-10-03Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Thirty Meter Telescope, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences