03/26/2013 to 03/27/2013
We decided it might be a good idea to combine the Whipple Observatory and the Mirror Lab into back-to-back tours. Since they are in the same area this made sense.
Our intrepid traveling companions, Arlene and Don joined us again - you would think they had wised up by now but they just keep laughing and agreeing to come along.
If you are thinking of taking any Observatory tour I highly recommend doing the Mirror Lab first. We learned so much and it helped us understand more of what we saw on the mountain top.
Good weather, great company and winding roads, what more can you want?
The Steward Observatory Mirror Lab is located under the stadium at University of Arizona. Why under the stadium someone in our group asked? Because all great scientific work is done under stadiums. So much for academic humor.
All kidding aside, this is a great tour. Our docent was very knowledgeable and by the time we left we had a basic understanding of the process and the history behind mirror construction. Fun and informative.
These are the ceramic cores around which the melted glass forms
This is the spinning furnace
The cores are inserted into the bottom, attached with special bolts, and the glass is added
This is a picture of two of the scientists working on the cores for the MMT. Each core must be place by hand precisely
Part of the mechanism on the spinning furnace
This is one of the borosilicate glass blocks that go into the furnace and some of the silica
When all the cores and blocks are in their proper places the lid is locked on, the furnace
The mirror polishing machine. Once the glass is finished melting and forming it is polished
Another shot of the polishing unit
A close-up of a mirror segment
When the mirror is cooked and polished it is lifted in this turning ring
Here is a mirror in a turning ring
Armed with our knowledge of mirror making, we boarded the bus for the Whipple Observatory Tour.
Now, Whipple has multiple telescopes;MMT, Tillinghast, PAIRITEL, VERITAS, HAT, and Mearth. On our tour we entered several of the observatories.
Some, like HAT, are automated and are not what you would call traditional in style.
If you do not like winding dirt roads with great views way down into the valley, this is not for you. The road is steep and unpaved most of the way.
The only reason the upper portion is paved was to facilitate getting the mirrors up there. We had a great time.
Little formation known as Devils Slide
Way, way down there is the visitors center
A glimpse of the Multiple Mirror Telescope - our final destination on the tour
Nice, windy road up to some of the observatories
Looking down on VERITAS, Tellinghast and more
That is the dormitory the astronomers stay in while working
HAT - Hungarian Automated Telescopes. See, not exactly what you expect are they
A Coati Mundi was so busy looking for food it did not care we were all taking pictures
Cute little face
The Tellinghast and Reflector Telescopes. These are in the traditional dome style
Part of the Tillinghast Telescope
A lot is being explained but we probably only understood a fraction.
The Reflector Telescope had a nice yellow equatorial mount. See I learned something
That is the door that opens to view the skies
Our lunch stop was just below the road to the MMT
One of the VERITAS scopes. Be careful where you point it during the day - blinding
Standing on the platform in front of the VERITAS. Helps to give you an idea of size
VERITAS reflection of itself. VERITAS = Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope
Standing just right on the platform you can see yourself bigger than life in the mirrors
George taking his picture reflected in the mirrors
The 3 Amigos discussing their shots
Closing in on MMT
The road up to the MMT - at a 26% grade you can see why they had to pave it.
Astronomers get right to the point when they name something
George - reflector mirrors are necessary due to tight turns
The new mirror technology enables them to build cheaper box observatories instead of domes
The MMT Telescope
The MMT behind the mirror
More workings of the telescope
Getting blown off the mountain