Front: Annam Lê, Henry Weiland (Systems Integrator), Nick Alejo Back: Jonathan Weber, Melissa Onishi (Project Manager), Ryan Inouye (Finance Lead), Cody Ichimura Missing: Andy Toothman, Tina Li, Bryant Higa
Mission Statement
“To design and build a precise, transportable telescope that will obtain accurate measurements and serve as an educational platform for future students in a Vertically Integrated Project program aimed towards innovating astronomical instruments.”
Team Goal
To develop core competency involving the physics and application of precision engineering principles necessary to develop astronomical instruments.
Pioneer 01-A
The Astronomical Instruments Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) team works on several aspects of precision engineering of telescopes and astronomical instruments. The team is working to build a 12” optical telescope as a platform for testing instruments. This project will also help to develop the core competency and understanding of optical physics necessary to drive the engineering design of other specific instruments. In connection, the team is also developing a full kinematic, dynamic, and thermal model of the UH88 telescope (88” mirror). This model will be used to evaluate renovations to the telescope and to understand the effects that additional test instruments attached to the telescope structure will have on the performance of the telescope. The team is also working on developing mirror mounting models and strategies to limit self-deflection and imposed moments on ever larger mirrors or mirror segments, compact shutters, diffraction grating manufacturing, and design implications of 3-D printing precision parts.
Subsystems: Optical Tube Assembly, Primary Mounting System, Instrument Mounting System, Primary Mirror Cell, Secondary Mirror Cell
Optical Tube Assembly
Solid structure that constrains the objective, primary mirror and diagonal mirror to align with the optical axis.
Primary Mounting System
The mount provides a stable foundation that supports the telescope, allowing it to acquire precise images in the sky.
Instrument Mounting System
Ensures instruments such as the focuser and camera are securely mounted to the telescope.
Primary Mirror Cell
The primary mirror cell is the main component of the telescope that provides support, security and allows collimation adjustment of the main mirror to the optical axis.
Secondary Mirror Cell
An assembly that houses the diagonal mirror and attaches that housing to the telescope.
Team Subsystem Structure
The results…
Wanna get involved?
Team Meetings: Mondays 4:30 – 6:00 pm & Wednesdays 3:30 – 6:00 pm at POST 221
Contact Information:
Team Email: astrotec@hawaii.edu
Project Manager: onishim@hawaii.edu, Melissa Onishi
Click on the Facebook icon to view and like our page!
Follow us on Instagram at manoaastrotech