"Optics
for the Giant Magellan Telescope"
Seminar by
Dr. Jim Burge,
University of Arizona
Abstract:
The University of Arizona has started making the optics for
the Giant Magellan Telescope -- an astronomical telescope
with 25 meter aperture. The
giant primary mirror for GMT will be made
of seven smaller pieces, each 8.4 meters across.
The effects of the atmosphere will be measured using laser
guide stars and will be corrected in real time by deforming
the 4 meter secondary mirror. The challenges of
making the telescope optics are being directly
addressed at the University of Arizona. This talk
will summarize the design and performance of GMT and will
discuss the technology for the mirrors.
BIOGRAPHY:
Dr. Jim Burge is Associate Professor at the University of
Arizona with joint appointments at the College of Optical
Sciences and Steward Observatory. He has led the
development of optical testing and mirror fabrication
technologies that enable the production of large, highly
aspheric telescope mirrors. He also leads a group of
graduate researchers and teaches courses in applied optics
and optomechanics.