Primary Mirror Segments (Ion Milled) and Supports
Keck I and II at Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Sue and Brad Ehrhorn (RC Optical Systems, Inc.) and Julie and Dan Azari (of Telescope Controls, LLC) stand in front of a freshly coated 1 meter primary mirror segment. The segments are rotated out of the primary every few months for coatings. The sulfur environment is harsh on coatings, which only last for approximately 6 months.
The 1 meter segments are removed from the primary mirror (in their individual mirror cells) and are stripped.
Each Ion Milled 1 meter mirror segment alone cost over 1 million dollars. Each Keck primary has 36 active segments and 12 standby segments.
Aluminizing is done on site. Once recoated, the segments are stored for re-insertation at a later date.
Yes, each mirror segment is glued onto the mirror support!
Secondary Mirror Support and Truss Assembly
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