Optical analysis of the Wallace Astrophysical Observatory 24-inch and Magellan I 6.5-meter telescopes

Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2000.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 61).
The goal of this thesis is to propose a layout for the Wallace Astrophysical Observatory (WAO) 24-inch optical system that would utilize the full potential of the telescope and a new CCD imaging instrument. An optical analysis of the 6.5-meter Magellan I telescope was first performed to determine the optimal mounting location for the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Magellan Instant Camera (MAGIC). The analysis method used for the Magellan I model was then applied to the WAO 24-inch telescope. The results of the optical analysis of the WAO 24-inch model suggest that the optimal layout would follow a Cassegrain model with a focal ratio of between 15.3 and 16.6 to obtain image sizes of approximately 1.0 arcsecond or less over a field of up to 26.4 arcminutes in diameter.
by Janet P. Wu.
S.B.