TY - GEN
T1 - A 40cm infra-red telescope in antarctica
AU - Murata, Chihiro
AU - Ichikawa, Takashi
AU - Lundock, Ramsey Guy
AU - Taniguch, Yuichiro
AU - Okita, Hirofumi
PY - 2008/12/1
Y1 - 2008/12/1
N2 - In Antarctica the cold and dry air is expected to provide the best observing conditions on the Earth for astronomical observations from infra-red to sub-millimeter. To enjoy the advantages in Antarctica, we have a plan to make astronomical observations at Dome Fuji, which is located at inland Antarctica. However, the harsh environment is very problematic. For example, the temperature comes down to as low as -80 degree Celsius in winter, where instruments designed for temperate environment would not work. In this context, we have developed a 40 cm infra-red telescope, which is dedicated for the use even in winter at Dome Fuji. In designing the telescope, we took account of the difference of the thermal expansion rate among materials, which were used for the telescope. Movable parts like motors were lubricated with grease which would be effective at -80 degrees. Most parts of the telescope are made of aluminum to make the telescope as light as possible, so that it makes the transportation from seacoast to inland and assembling at Dome Fuji easier. We also report the experiment that we have done at Rikubetsu (the coldest city in Japan) in February 2008.
AB - In Antarctica the cold and dry air is expected to provide the best observing conditions on the Earth for astronomical observations from infra-red to sub-millimeter. To enjoy the advantages in Antarctica, we have a plan to make astronomical observations at Dome Fuji, which is located at inland Antarctica. However, the harsh environment is very problematic. For example, the temperature comes down to as low as -80 degree Celsius in winter, where instruments designed for temperate environment would not work. In this context, we have developed a 40 cm infra-red telescope, which is dedicated for the use even in winter at Dome Fuji. In designing the telescope, we took account of the difference of the thermal expansion rate among materials, which were used for the telescope. Movable parts like motors were lubricated with grease which would be effective at -80 degrees. Most parts of the telescope are made of aluminum to make the telescope as light as possible, so that it makes the transportation from seacoast to inland and assembling at Dome Fuji easier. We also report the experiment that we have done at Rikubetsu (the coldest city in Japan) in February 2008.
KW - Antarctica
KW - Dome Fuji
KW - Infra-red telescope
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=66749132532&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=66749132532&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1117/12.787527
DO - 10.1117/12.787527
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:66749132532
SN - 9780819472229
T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
BT - Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II
T2 - Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II
Y2 - 23 June 2008 through 28 June 2008
ER -