Logo

fullsizerender-2
Kent Harada (Project Manager), Shane Brown (Finance Manager), Donovan Macanas (VIP Coordinator), and Tina Li (Systems Integrator)
Manoa Astronomical Technologies (MAT) is a Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP), currently in its second iteration. Dr. Trimble’s research laboratory, R.I.P. Laboratory, oversees MAT. VIP is geared to get underclassmen involved with the design process before their senior year. By the time senior design comes around, those members will be aware of the workload to come. Furthermore, if an underclassman sticks with the same VIP project, that member will be familiar with the content and context of the project.
Last year, MAT created a Newtonian Telescope named Pioneer 01-AThe telescope’s subsystems that MAT fabricated includes its primary mirror cell (the means of supporting the primary parabolic 12″ mirror), the secondary mirror cell (which supports a flat mirror that projects the image to the observer), its instrument mounting system (which mounts a focuser and a camera), and its Optical Tube Assembly (which is the primary means to support the above). The mirrors and the German-Equatorial Mount were donated to MAT.
This year we will be working to improve the previous year’s design with the intent of improving the collimation process, improving the stability of the primary mirror, and capturing images produced by Pioneer with a high-definition camera. To do this we are redesigning the primary mirror cell and adding a focuser that is compatible with said high definition camera.

Mission Statement

To cultivate an interdisciplinary Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) program in which students will experience the design process, learn team dynamics, and gain technical skills through tasks focusing on reducing optical aberrations by improving collimation for Pioneer 01-­A.

Project Summary

Schedule Summary

Finance Summary

Performance Summary

Underclassmen

Advisors

A Zachary Trimble (Advisor)

Alex Dzierba (Mentor)

Henry Weiland (Mentor)

Stan Truitt (Mentor)

Grant Takara (Graduate Advisor)

Brennan Yamamoto (Graduate Advisor)

Contact Info

Team Email: astrotec@hawaii.edu

Project Manager: kcharada@hawaii.edu, Kent Harada

facebook

Click on the Facebook icon to view and like our page!

instagram logo

Follow us on Instagram at manoaastrotech

 

Get Involved!

Team Meetings: Mondays 2:30 – 4:00 pm & Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30 pm at POST 221

Fill out this interest form if you are interested in joining the project here.