The Design and Construction of Large Optical Telescopes (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)

There is no dearth of books on telescope optics and, indeed, optics is clearly a keyelementinthedesignandconstructionoftelescopes.Butitisbynomeans the only important element. As telescopes become larger and more costly, other aspects such as structures, pointing, wavefront control, enclosures, and project management become just as critical. Although most of the technical knowledge required for all these ?elds is available in various specialized books, journal articles, and technical reports, they are not necessarily written with application to telescopes in mind. This bookisa?rstattemptatassemblinginasingletextthebasicastronomicaland engineering principles used in the design and construction of large telescopes. Itsaimistobroadlycoverallmajoraspectsofthe?eld,fromthefundamentals ofastronomicalobservationto optics, controlsystems,structural,mechanical, andthermalengineering,aswellasspecializedtopicssuchassiteselectionand program management. This subject is so vast that an in-depth treatment is obviously imprac- cal. Our intent is therefore only to provide a comprehensive introduction to the essential aspects of telescope design and construction. This book will not replace specialized scienti?c and technical texts. But we hope that it will be useful for astronomers, managers, and systems engineers who seek a basic understanding of the underlying principles of telescope making, and for s- cialists who wish to acquaint themselves with the fundamental requirements and approaches of their colleagues in other disciplines. This Book Assembles For The First Time In A Single Text The Full Range Of Astronomical And Engineering Principles Used In The Design And Construction Of Large Telescopes. It Aims To Cover All Aspects Of The Field, From The Fundamentals Of Astronomical Observation To Optics, Control Systems, And Structural, Mechanical, And Thermal Engineering, As Well As Such Specialized Topics As Site Selection And Program Management. The Book Is The Result Of The Collaboration Of Many Leading Astronomers, Engineers, And Project Managers. Their Contributions Have Been Edited To Provide A Consistent Approach And Treatment: For Example, Ground- And Space-based Telescopes Are Treated From A Common Perspective. Topics Covered Include: - Design Methods And Project Management - Telescope Optics - Stray Light Control - Structure And Mechanisms - Pointing And Control - Active And Adaptive Optics - Thermal Control - Integration And Verification - Observatory Enclosure And Siting Astronomical Observations -- Instruments -- Design Methods And Project Management -- Telescope Optics -- Stray Light Control -- Telescope Structure And Mechanisms -- Pointing And Control -- Active And Adaptive Optics -- Thermal Control -- Integration And Verification -- Observatory Enclosure -- Observatory Sites. Editor Pierre Y. Bely. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.