Mirror Facets for the VERITAS Telescopes
by
E. ROACHE, R. IRVIN, J. S. PERKINS, K. HARRIS, A. FALCONE, J. FINLEY AND T. WEEKES
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 670 Mount Hopkins Road, Amado, AZ
From Harvard Abstract: Each of the VERITAS telescopes has 345 adjustable glass facets which were manufactured by D.O.T.I., Roundrock, Texas with slumping and grinding to get the optical figure. The facets were aluminized and anodized at the Whipple Observatory. The parameters (reflectivity, focal length and blur circle) were measured. The design specifications for focal length (12.00 m +/- 1%) and spot size (< 10 mm) were surpassed by a factor of two. The anodizing process will be described and the effect of exposure at the VERITAS site on the reflectivity described.
Project Gallery
The below photos are of the VERITAS telescopes at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona. Photos taken by DOTI staff, VERITAS staff, and personnel working on the telescopes.