Progress and Key Projects of the Discovery Channel Telescope at Lowell Observatory
Abstract
The Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) is a 4.2-m instrument under construction 35 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. All first light components of the telescope are actively being worked, with commissioning scheduled for early 2011. Planned first generation instruments include an imager, IR spectrograph, and optical spectrograph at the RC focus. The design also provides for observations at prime and Nasmyth foci. Research and results from the telescope will be widely disseminated through Lowell Observatory's partnership with Discovery Communications. I will describe the design and construction status of the telescope, as well as the key projects identified for the initial science operations.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #213
- Pub Date:
- January 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AAS...21347412H