DOME ENCLOSURE: CLAM SHELL DESIGN

Abstract

Near Earth Object Patrol Team (National Research Lab.) at KAO and YSTAR team at Yonsei University Observatory jointly developed a dome enclosure to be installed abroad together with a survey telescope. It has a fully-open clam shell type design to maximize the fast slew capability of the telescope and is also sturdy enough to protect the observation system under extreme weather conditions. We also developed an electric control circuit for the enclosure so that it can become a part of automated observing system. The enclosure has been installed at the Sutherland Observatory of South African Astronomical Observatory in April 2002, and has been successfully operational.

Keywords

• dome enclosure
• survey astronomy
• astronomical instruments