| Name: | Varun Prakash Padikal |
| Affiliation: | Christ University |
| Conference ID : | ASI2022_127 |
| Title : | Study of Alignment Sensitivity of NLOT Primary Mirror Segments on Image Quality |
| Authors : | Varun Prakash (a), Athul Kurian (a), Amirul Hasan (b), Vineeth Valsan (a), and Sriram S (a,b) a Department of Physics and Electronics, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) b Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore |
| Abstract Type: | Poster |
| Abstract Category : | Instrumentation and Techniques |
| Abstract : | In the last few decades the field of astronomy has seen a rise of several 8-10m class large Optical-NIR telescopes across the world. Currently, the largest ground based telescope operating at this wavelength in India is the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope. It is envisaged to build a 10-12m class Optical-NIR telescope known as the National Large Optical Telescope (NLOT) to meet the growing research demands. The primary mirror of NLOT will have 60 hexagonal segments. The segmentation allows us to construct bigger apertures, as it eases the development and maintenance process. One of the complexities of segmentation is in its alignment. The mirror support system is equipped with actuators and edge sensors to regulate segment misalignment. Any deviation of the segments from their mean position, can degrade the optical performance of the telescope. In this work we present the initial studies of the effect of segment miss-alignment on the image quality of the telescope. |