On September 7-8, 2007 Gerry Trione, Rex Ross and Julian Lamborn visited the University of Texas
McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas.
The purpose of the visit was to tour the facilities and to learn about HETDEX, the exciting major new research project
to investigate "dark energy".
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The drive from Midland Airport to McDonald Observatory in the Davis
Mountains went through some beautiful country.
We arrive at the site.
David Lambert, Director of the McDonald Observatory,
graciously accommodated us in his lodge at the site.
The Lambert Lodge is quite nice.
The views from the deck of Lambert Lodge were spectacular.
Director David Lambert (2nd from right) welcomes us to McDonald
and discusses the agenda for our stay.
(Left to right) Julian Lamborn, Joel Barna ((U.T. Development
Manager for McDonald Observatory), Don Wallace (Superintendent of McDonald Observatory) and Rex Ross identify
either a new super-nova or a Southwest Airline Jet.
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Hobby-Eberly Telescope Primary Mirror: 91 hexagonal segments Mirror Weight: 26,000 pounds Mirror Diameter: 36 feet Telescope Weight: 160,000 pounds (80 tons) Dedicated: October 8, 1997 |
Gary Hill (on left) Senior Research Scientist and Chief Astronomer joined us for
our first stop: The Hobby-Eberly Telescope.
The 9.2. meter mirror of the HET can be seen in the center of each photo.
A staff member climbs the structure to make some adjustments.
HET Site Manager Bob Calder (on right) shows a replacement mirror
for one of the 91 hexagonal segments of the telescope.
Each hexagonal segment is quite delicate, with an aluminum reflective coating 900 angstroms thick.
Our group examines the telescope's 80 ton structure.
Rex (closely supervised by Bob Calder) is allowed to "drive" the telescope to move it into the proper position.
The side louvers of the telescope building can be opened as part of
the temperature controls.
In the control room for the Hobby-Eberly telescope,
Eusebio Terrazas (HET Telescope Operator) monitors several computer
screens that show the telescope's position, operation and alignment.
HET Site Manger Bob Calder explains the operation of the HET.
Below right shows additional screens that monitor the digital image being recorded by the telescope.
Gerry ponders improvements to the telescope that he would like to suggest .
Our group discusses the operations and research activities associated with HET.
(left to right) David Lambert, Gerry Trione, Rex Ross, Julian Lamborn and Gary Hill
pose for a last photograph with the HET.
Back at Lambert House for a pre-dinner cocktail and further discussion.
We adjourn to the "Astronomer's Lodge" for dinner.
Rex comments on Director Lambert's research project involving stars with no
hydrogen (trust me - that's a peculiar type of star) .
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After dinner, Gary Hill provides an in-depth review of the HETDEX project that he is leading.
HETDEX: The Hobby Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment
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The Issue Simplified (with apologies to the cosmological community) Several decades ago it was determined that the universe is expanding. More recently, it has been determined that the rate of that expansion is accelerating. No one yet understands the mechanism that is causing that acceleration. One theory is that some "dark energy" which we cannot yet see nor measure, may be that mechanism. The HETDEX will examine two million galaxies to map how fast galaxies are moving away from us as a basis to attempt to understand what this "dark energy" may be. As Gary Hill clearly noted in his presentation, "Dark Energy" may not be dark and may not be energy. But therein lies the puzzle that Gary's project will attempt to unravel. |
Julian and Rex ponder Gary's presentation.
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Following the review of HETDEX, a beautiful sunset greets us as we make
our way to visit the Harlan Smith Telescope.
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Harlan J. Smith Telescope Mirror Weight: 7,800 pounds Mirror Diameter: 107 inches Telescope Weight: 320,000 pounds (160 tons) Length: 32 feet Dedicated: November 26, 1968 |
The 107 inch Smith telescope towers over our group.
Gary Hill and David Lambert explain the newly designed spectrograph (the black unit at the base of the telescope)
that has been designed and built by his team as the key element for the HETDEX project.
The specially designed spectrograph is named Visible Integral-Field Replicable Unit Spectrograph ("VIRUS").
Once operational, HETDEX will employ a set of 145 such VIRUS units linked together, permitting the
HET to examine 10,000 galaxies each night.
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Another group photograph in the shadow of the Smith Telescope.
In the control room for the Smith Telescope, Gerry discusses the shape of the solar system with
Gary Hill (below left) and explains some finer points of photons to Phillip MacQueen (McDonald Chief Scientist) (below right).
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Part of the instrumentation to direct light from the Smith telescope to
the Spectroscopy laboratory in a lower level of the building is shown here.
Director Lambert explains the operation of the spectroscopy laboratory where the nature of stars, galaxies and
other objects is deduced by examining the spectrum of the light from those objects.
The pressure chamber used to re-coat the reflective surface of the
Smith telescope lens is discussed.
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Otto Struve Telescope Mirror Weight: 4,200 pounds Mirror Diameter: 82 inches Telescope Weight: 90,000 pounds (45 tons) Length: 27 feet Dedicated: May 5, 1939 |
David Lambert explains the layout of the Otto Struve Telescope.
Note that this telescope has an eye viewing lens at its base, unlike more
modern instruments which all acquire digital images.
Early telescopes often included a small "spotting scope" as shown on the left photo and angular degree scales as shown on the right photo to help
locate objects. Current alignment of telescopes is fully computer controlled.
Nevertheless, when the Struve Telescope was dedicated in 1939 it was the second largest telescope in the world and one of the most
technologically advanced.
Following a hearty breakfast the next morning,
Julian, Rex and Gerry pose for a farewell photograph.
Our fascinating exposure to the McDonald
Observatory staff, facilities, operations and
research programs comes to an end.
