Mechanical design for the Evryscope: a minute cadence, 10,000-square-degree FoV, gigapixel-scale telescope
Abstract
We designed, tested, prototyped and built a compact 27-camera robotic telescope that images 10,000 square degrees in 2-minute exposures. We exploit mass produced interline CCD Cameras with Rokinon consumer lenses to economically build a telescope that covers this large part of the sky simultaneously with a good enough pixel sampling to avoid the confusion limit over most of the sky. We developed the initial concept into a 3-d mechanical design with the aid of computer modeling programs. Significant design components include the camera assembly-mounting modules, the hemispherical support structure, and the instrument base structure. We simulated flexure and material stress in each of the three main components, which helped us optimize the rigidity and materials selection, while reducing weight. The camera mounts are CNC aluminum and the support shell is reinforced fiberglass. Other significant project components include optimizing camera locations, camera alignment, thermal analysis, environmental sealing, wind protection, and ease of access to internal components. The Evryscope will be assembled at UNC Chapel Hill and deployed to the CTIO in 2015.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #225
- Pub Date:
- January 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015AAS...22525806R