The Magellan Telescopes

Stephen A. Shectman; Matthew Johns

doi:10.1117/12.457909

4 February 2003 The Magellan Telescopes

Stephen A. Shectman, Matthew Johns

Proceedings Volume 4837, Large Ground-based Telescopes; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.457909
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

Commissioning of the two 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes is nearing completion at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The Magellan 1 primary mirror was successfully aluminized at Las Campanas in August 2000. Science operations at Magellan 1 began in February 2001. The second Nasmyth focus on Magellan 1 went into operation in September 2001. Science operations on Magellan 2 are scheduled to begin shortly. The ability to deliver high-quality images is maintained at all times by the simultaneous operation of the primary mirror support system, the primary mirror thermal control system, and a real-time active optics system, based on a Shack-Hartmann image analyzer. Residual aberrations in the delivered image (including focus) are typically 0.10-0.15” fwhm, and real images as good as 0.25” fwhm have been obtained at optical wavelengths. The mount points reliably to 2” rms over the entire sky, using a pointing model which is stable from year to year. The tracking error under typical wind conditions is better than 0.03” rms, although some degradation is observed under high wind conditions when the dome is pointed in an unfavorable direction. Instruments used at Magellan 1 during the first year of operation include two spectrographs previously used at other telescopes (B&C, LDSS-2), a mid-infrared imager (MIRAC) and an optical imager (MAGIC, the first Magellan-specific facility instrument). Two facility spectrographs are scheduled to be installed shortly: IMACS, a wide-field spectrograph, and MIKE, a double echelle spectrograph.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen A. Shectman and Matthew Johns "The Magellan Telescopes", Proc. SPIE 4837, Large Ground-based Telescopes, (4 February 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.457909

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