The Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope Project

The Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope(JUST)is a 4.4-meter f/6.0 segmented-mirror telescope dedicated to spectroscopic observations.The JUST primary mirror is composed of 18 hexagonal segments,each with a diameter of 1.1 m.JUST provides two Nasmyth platforms for placing science instruments.One Nasmyth focus fits a field of view of 10′and the other has an extended field of view of 1.2°with correction optics.A tertiary mirror is used to switch between the two Nasmyth foci.JUST will be installed at a site at Lenghu in Qinghai Province,China,and will conduct spectroscopic observations with three types of instruments to explore the dark universe,trace the dynamic universe,and search for exoplanets:(1)a multi-fiber(2000 fibers)medium-resolution spectrometer(R=4000-5000)to spectroscopically map galaxies and large-scale structure;(2)an integral field unit(IFU)array of 500 optical fibers and/or a long-slit spectrograph dedicated to fast follow-ups of transient sources for multi-messenger astronomy;(3)a high-resolution spectrometer(R~100000)designed to identify Jupiter analogs and Earth-like planets,with the capability to characterize the atmospheres of hot exoplanets.

Design and application of an autonomous Master Control System for a multi-layer magnetic and helioseismic telescope

With the growing significance of space weather forecasting,multi-layer magnetic and helioseismic telescopes are emerging as a key area of research.However,owing to the diverse operational processes and sophisticated hardware configurations of these devices,there is an urgent need for efficient autonomous observation capabilities.An autonomous Master Control System(MCS)can ensure efficient performance,data consistency,and stability,and the prototype presented here adopts a microservices architecture,breaking down the hardware into multiple subsystems and converting their functions into individual services.A central decision-making system leads the operations,supported by three auxiliary systems and three device control systems.Through inter-subsystem service calls,it achieves rapid imaging and spectroscopic monitoring.To verify system stability and observation efficiency,the system was tested on the Solar Full-disk Multi-layer Magnetograph.Experimental results verify this system can operate automatically for 4 consecutive months,acquire photospheric vector magnetic and Doppler velocity fields within a 15-minute interval,and measure chromospheric longitudinal magnetic and Doppler velocity fields in under 180 s.This ensures consistent and stable solar monitoring and serves as a practical methodological benchmark for the development of similar devices.

Analysis of optical axis deviation caused by structural stiffness in equatorial telescopes

The impact of structural stiffness on optical axis deviation poses a significant challenge in the design of equatorial telescope structures.A comprehensive analysis during the design process can reduce the reliance of a telescope on advanced control technologies,thereby improving its economic feasibility.Although full-system finite element analyses are reliable,they are encumbered by significant time requirements and limitations in covering all possible telescope orientations.Therefore,we propose an efficient and comprehensive analytical method to evaluate the optical axis deviation of equatorial telescopes across a full range of angles.To address the challenge of ensuring that the analysis covers all possible positions of an equatorial telescope,based on a model from SiTian project,we analyze the optical axis deviations caused by the fork arm at 25 different angles and then use fitting methods to obtain results for all angles.Based on the analysis results of the optical axis deviation caused by the stiffness of the optical tube in the horizontal position,we derive the results for the tube at any position using geometric relationships.Finally,we calculate the coupling factors and combine these impacts.Furthermore,we identify six discrete feature points to reflect possible telescope orientations and conduct comprehensive finite element analyses.The results are in alignment with those acquired through a comprehensive computational approach.

Optical system research of multi-object fiber spectroscopic survey telescope

In the first part of this paper,four different Cassegrain optical systems with their correctors are designed and studied for multi-object fiber slit spectroscopic survey.The aperture in 6.5 m and field of view 3°are taken for these optical systems.Assuming observation wavelength range is 0.365-0.95μm,the maximum zenith distance for observing is 60°,the maximum diameter of these lenses is 1.66 m,the altitude of the telescope site is 2500 m,two correctors are composed of 4-piece lenses and the other two are 5-piece lenses.The results obtained are:f-ratio about 3.7,the image quality for all four systems with EE80D≤0.60″,the linear diameter of the focal surface is about 1.2 m and 11 000 fibers can be set on it.Considering the limit of size of fused silica and optical glass,the maximum diameter for lens is about 1.7 m.Such a 6.5 m telescope is about the largest one if using the above correctors.Considering the multiobject spectroscopic survey is greatly important,we also studied some telescope optical systems having their aperture near or larger than 10 m used for the multi-object fiber spectroscopic survey.Such ideas are introduced in the last section of this paper.

Preliminary numerical simulation of mirror seeing for the Chinese Future Giant Telescope

Mirror seeing will be one of the key factors influencing image quality of an extremely large ground-based optical telescope （ELT）. Computational fluid dynamics （CFD） can be used to estimate the mirror seeing and the effects of ventilation. In this paper, we present a simplified approach to simulation of mirror seeing for the Chinese Future Giant Telescope （CFGT, 30 m in diameter） with the CFD software ANSYS Icepak. We get the FWHM of the image and the distribution of refractive index structure function （CN2） above the mirror. We demonstrate that thermal control and ventilation are effective ways to improve the image quality. Our simulation results agree with those of other authors for the ELT. To reduce the mirror seeing to a level of 0.5＂, the suggested temperature excess of the primary mirror above the ambient air for thermal control of the CFGT is 0 - 2 K according to the present results of weakly forced convection. The limitations of the method are also discussed.

The New Wuqing 70 m Radio Telescope and Measurements of Main Electronic Properties in the X-band

The new Wuqing 70 m radio telescope is first used for the downlink data reception in the first Mars exploration mission of China,and will be used for the other deep space communications and radio astronomical observations in the future.The main specifications and measurement results of some properties in the X-band are introduced in this paper,such as pointing calibration,gain and efficiency,system noise temperature,system equivalent flux density,and variations with elevation.The 23 parameters pointing calibration model considering the atmospheric refraction correction in real time is presented in the telescope,and the pointing accuracy reaches 570 in azimuth direction and 607 in elevation direction for different weather conditions.More than 62%efficiencies are achieved at full elevation range,and more than 70%in the mid-elevation.The system equivalent flux density of the X-band in the mid-elevation reaches 26 Jy.

A Wideband Microwave Holography Methodology for Reflector Surface Measurement of Large Radio Telescopes

Most reflector surface holographic measurements of a large radio telescope utilize a geostationary satellite as the signal source. The shortcoming is that those measurements could only be done at a limited elevation angle due to the satellite’s relatively stationary state. This paper proposed a new wideband microwave holographic measurement method based on radio sources to achieve full-elevation-angle measurement with small size reference antenna. In theoretical derivation, the time delay and phase change due to path length and device difference between the antenna under test and reference antenna are compensated first. Then the correct method of wideband holography effect, which is because of antenna pattern differing under different wavelengths when receiving a wideband signal, is presented. To verify the proposed methodology, a wideband microwave holographic measurement system is established, the data processing procedure is illustrated, and the reflector surface measurement experiments on a 40 m radio telescope at different elevation angles are conducted. The result shows that the primary reflector surface root-mean-square at around elevation angles of 28°, 44°, 49°, and 75° are respectively 0.213 mm, 0.170 mm, 0.188 mm, and 0.199 mm. It is basically consistent with the real data, indicating that the proposed wideband microwave holography methodology is feasible.

Estimating the mirror seeing for a large optical telescope with a numerical method

It is widely accepted that mirror seeing is caused by turbulent fluctuations in the index of air refraction in the vicinity of a telescope mirror. Computational Fluid Dynamics（CFD） is a useful tool to evaluate the effects of mirror seeing. In this paper, we present a numerical method to estimate the mirror seeing for a large optical telescope（～ 4 m） in cases of natural convection with the ANSYS ICEPAK software. We get the FWHM of the image for different inclination angles（i） of the mirror and different temperature differences（△T） between the mirror and ambient air. Our results show that the mirror seeing depends very weakly on i, which agrees with observational data from the Canada-FranceHawaii Telescope. The numerical model can be used to estimate mirror seeing in the case of natural convection although with some limitations. We can determine △T for thermal control of the primary mirror according to the simulation, empirical data and site seeing.

Two suggested configurations for the Chinese space telescope

China will establish a 2-meter space-based astronomical telescope. Its main science goals are performing a sky survey for research about dark matter and dark energy, and high resolution observations. Some experts suggest that this space telescope should be installed inside the Chinese space station. In accord with this suggestion we put forward our first configuration, i.e., to adopt a coude system for this telescope. This coude system comes from the Chinese 2.16 m telescope＇s coude system, which includes a relay mirror so that excellent image quality can be obtained. In our second configuration, we suggest that the whole space telescope fly freely as an independent satellite outside the space station. When it needs servicing, for example, changing in- struments, refilling refrigerant or propellant, etc., this space telescope can fly near or even dock with the core space station. Although some space stations have had accom- panying satellites, the one we propose is a space telescope that will be much larger than other accompanying satellites in terms of weight and volume. On the basis of the second configuration, we also put forward the following idea： the space station can be composed of several large independent modules if necessary.

Progress on Space Solar Telescope in 2002-2004

The progress on Chinese Space Solar Telescope (SST) in 2002-2004 is introduced. The documentations on plans and outlines based on the standards of Chinese aerospace industry for SST mission has been fulfilled. The key technical problems of SST satellite platform and payloads are tackled during pre-study stage of the mission. The laboratory assembly and calibration of the main optical telescope of 1.2 m spherical mirror and 1 m plain mirror have been carried out with the accuracy of λ/40 and λ/30, respectively. The prototype at 17.1 nm for extreme ultraviolet telescope is under development and manufacture with a diameter of 13 cm. Its primary and secondary mirrors have a manufacturing error of 5nm with a roughness degree of less than 0.5 nm and a multiplayer reflection factor of better than 20%. The on-board scientific data processing unit has been developed. Prototypes for other payloads such as H and white light telescope, wide band spectroscopy in high energy and solar and interplanetary radio spectrometer have been developed accordingly.

Direct Ion Beam Figuring Process and Rotational Measurement Method for Ultra-smooth Aspherical Surfaces of a 46.5 nm Telescope

This paper describes a fabrication process for the hyperboloidal concave mirror of a 46.5 nm telescope. The180 mm aperture hyperboloidal concave mirror and 70 mm aperture compensator are machined directly from chemical mechanical polishing of a spherical surface to a high-accuracy aspherical surface by ion beam figuring.The aspherical measurement method is the Dall null test. To minimize system errors in the measurement process,the rotational measurement method with six rotations is used in the null test. The results of the analysis for the ME(first solve the machined surface profile, then solve the system errors) and EM(first solve the system errors, then solve the machined surface profile) methods of calculation in the measurement are given. The ME method is a more accurate rotational test method, and the six rotations are appropriate for rotational measurements. After the figuring process, the hyperboloidal concave mirror surface profile reached 8.27 nm rms and the compensator surface profile is approximately 4 nm rms. The roughness of the hyperboloidal concave mirror is smooth to0.160 nm rms.

Modeling and Measuring Friction of the Leighton 10m Telescope

Estimating and identifying friction are important aspects of simulating a mechanical drive system. Accurate friction modeling helps to improve a telescope's performance. However, the friction conditions inside are complex and hard to measure. We did simulations with mathematical transfer functions for the Leighton 10 m Telescope and employed a polyline model to identify sources of friction. We made a two-stage model for the Leighton 10 m Telescope. Based on measurements of the motor's currents and speeds, we constructed a curve containing the friction information of the transmission elements. We simulated the system using a step function input under many combinations of friction parameters. By comparing simulation results with the measured ones, we determined the various friction components. This model accurately reproduced the telescope performance including the nonlinearities.

Distributed Control Software for the Active Surface System of Tian-ma Radio Telescope

The Tian-ma Radio Telescope(TMRT) applies an Active Surface System(ASFS), which corrects for large-scale deformations due to gravity and thermal on the primary reflector. The centralized and automated management of the ASFS using software has become a challenge, for which we have developed the TMRT Active Surface System Control Software(TASCS). This paper describes the design and implementation of TASCS for device control,status monitoring, human-computer interaction, and data management functionalities. TASCS adopts the opensource Tango Controls framework and distributes middleware technology to realize real-time automated adjustment of the primary reflector through remote centralized control of a large number of actuators. At present, it has been successfully deployed on the TMRT and has played an important role in Event Horizon Telescope observations.

Investigations of Thermal Deformation Based on the Monitoring System of Tianma 13.2 m VGOS Telescope

The thermal expansion of radio telescopes has been recognized as a significant systematic error in Very Long Baseline Interferometry(VLBI) data analysis. Although the thermal expansion model recommended by International Earth Rotation Service(IERS) Conventions 2010 can achieve millimeter accuracy for the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry(IVS) routine telescopes, both the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2020(ITRF2020) in preparation and the VLBI2010 project encourage the scientific community to reconsider its modeling. To this end, we developed a monitoring system for the Tianma 13.2 m VLBI Global Observing System(VGOS) telescope. Based on the observed data, we refined the IERS expansion model, with results showing that the accuracy of our modified model was improved by 1.9 times. It suggested that the IERS thermal expansion model can achieve the declared millimeter accuracy, and refining its modeling can meet the requirement of 0.3 mm rms stability of the VGOS antenna reference point for the VLBI2010 project.

NBFTP: a dedicated data transfer system for remote astronomical observation at Dome A

Dome A,Antarctica,has been thought to be one of the best astronomical sites on the Earth for decades.Since it was first visited by astronomers in 2008,dozens of facilities for astronomical observation and site testing were deployed.Due to its special geographical location,the data and message exchange between Dome A and the domestic control center could only depend on Iridium.Because the link bandwidth of Iridium is extremely limited,the network traffic cost is quite expensive and the network is rather unstable,the commonly used data transfer tools,such as rsync and scp,are not suitable in this case.In this paper,we design and implement a data transfer tool called NBFTP(narrow bandwidth file transfer protocol)for the astronomical observation of Dome A.NBFTP uses a uniform interface to arrange all types of data and matches specific transmission schemes for different data types according to rules.Break-point resuming and extensibility functions are also implemented.Our experimental results show that NBFTP consumes 60%less network traffic than rsync when detecting the data pending to be transferred.When transferring small files of 1 KB,the network traffic consumption of NBFTP is 40%less than rsync.However,as the file size increases,the network traffic consumption of NBFTP tends to approach rsync,but it is still smaller than rsync.

The Velocity Aberration Effect of the CSST Main Survey Camera

In this study,we conducted simulations to find the geometric aberrations expected for images taken by the Main Survey Camera of the Chinese Space Station Telescope(CSST)due to its motion.As anticipated by previous work,our findings indicate that the geometric distortion of light impacts the focal plane's apparent scale,with a more pronounced influence as the size of the focal plane increases.Our models suggest that the effect consistently influences the pixel scale in both the vertical and parallel directions.The apparent scale variation follows a sinusoidal distribution throughout one orbital period.Simulations reveal that the effect is particularly pronounced in the center of the Galaxy and gradually diminishes along the direction of ecliptic latitude.At low ecliptic latitudes,the total aberration leads to about a 0.94 pixel offset(a 20 minute exposure)and a 0.26 pixel offset(a 300 s exposure)at the edge of the field of view.Appropriate processings for the geometric effect during the CSST pre-and post-observation phases are presented.

1.2米地平式望远镜指向模型的研究(1.全天指向模型的建立)

介绍了云南天文台1.2米地平式望远镜用于天文观测和图像采集处理的方法,建立了新的、独特的全天指向模型,大大提高了该望远镜的指向精度,达到1″,并在多年的实际应用中得到验证。

基于斩波轮技术的K波段接收机噪声校准研究

接收机是射电天文中用于探测微弱射电信号的重要接收设备.接收机的强度校准就是将接收机对射电源的响应转换为天文意义上的流量密度.常规方法就是使用经典的冷热负载法,将接收机自身的强度响应转换为一个等效的温度值,之后再据此对射电源做进一步标定.通过搭建基于斩波轮技术的K波段接收机强度校准平台,使用斩波轮法测试K波段常温接收机的噪声温度,并与传统冷热负载法的测试结果进行比对.结果显示,在晴好天气条件下,斩波轮法在30°、90°仰角下噪声温度的最大测试误差为7.5%和8.4%,可以很好地应用于实际噪声温度测试中;但在5°仰角测试中,由于过低仰角引入了地面噪声,使得斩波轮法的测试误差上升至20%–30%之间而无法使用.希望在此基础上进一步开展K波段天空亮温度的理论计算与实测,从而完善斩波轮技术的应用,使之可以满足在不同气象条件下的噪声校准测试需求.

空间太阳望远镜中的轻量化铍镜研究

为提高空间太阳望远镜相关跟踪系统的动态性能,验证金属铍作为可见光波段反射镜材料的可行性与可靠性,对空间太阳望远镜相关跟踪器中的摆镜进行了研究,设计与研制了Φ84 mm轻量化铍镜。利用冲击研磨工艺得到铍粉,再通过热等静压工艺和机械加工得到铍镜镜坯。使用化学镀镍工艺在镜坯基体上镀覆镍磷合金过渡层,再经过光学加工完成铍镜研制。镜面干涉检测后得到面形精度为RMS:0.012λ,PV:0.114λ,铍镜轻量化率为43.68%。检测结果满足空间太阳望远镜的技术要求。

空间天文仪器反射镜材料优化与应用研究

针对空间天文光学仪器反射镜材料的选择,论述了空间反射镜材料的优化方法,对比分析了反射镜材料的性能,并以空间太阳望远镜中的摆镜及Φ1m主镜研究为依托,建立了摆镜与主镜有限元模型,根据模型完成了反射镜材料的计算优化,得到了其力学及热分析结果。结果表明,反射镜的力学及动力学环境要求较高时,铍材最优,碳化硅次之;对于仪器温控范围较宽或对日观测时,微晶玻璃最优,碳化硅次之。根据反射镜材料优化结果,确定了以金属铍作为空间太阳望远镜中的摆镜材料,并进行了铍镜研制,检测结果满足技术要求。