The Engineering of the GBT

The Engineering of the GBT

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One of four sets of wheels upon which the GBT rotates. The tracks are covered by removable caps, seen in the foreground.

A zenith view of the first eighteen flights of stairs, which reaches about half way to the focus platform. We used an elevator.

Sometimes, a simple hand-drawn and handwritten set of instructions is best. I don't know what "snow," "survival," and "birdbath" means in this context.

The underside of the dish surface. The black objects are actuators connected to the corners of adjacent panels; They automatically adjust the shape of the dish to restore it to as close as possible to that of an ideal paraboloid.

Another view of the actuators that adjust the shape of the dish. Currently, the adjustment is based on a theoretical model of mechanical loading and deformation of the dish as it is tipped at various angles. Eventually, laser reflections from corner reflectors in the holes near each panel corner will allow for live feedback adjustments.

The focal point boom that positions the antenna room near the top where the electromagnetic radiation (that reflects off the main dish below) is collected. In this configuration, the radiation is reflected off a secondary concave mirror above the room so that it is collected by a horn antenna on the roof of that room aimed at the secondary mirror.

The roof of the antenna room. The rotating platform in the foreground has several differently sized vertically aimed horn antennas mounted on it. A collection of different antennas are needed for observations at different radio frequencies.

Inside the antenna room, just below the rotating platform of horn antennas. Shown is the electronic and cooling circuitry connected to one of the horns.

The base of the GBT. The 20 passenger van that brought the group to the site.

Back to the Main GBT Gallery.