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HSC Wide-Field Corrector Arrives at Subaru Telescope

September 6, 2011

The wide-field corrector of Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) arrived on August 6, 2011 at Subaru Telescope atop Mauna Kea. HSC is a huge digital camera that will be mounted at prime focus, which is at the top of the Subaru Telescope. HSC's field of view is seven times larger than that of the Subaru Prime Focus Camera (Suprime-Cam), the current instrument for use at prime focus. The wide-field corrector is part of the fundamental technology of HSC that corrects for optical aberration and atmospheric dispersion of the prime focus. The corrector, which is about 1.7 meters high and weighs one metric ton, consists of seven lenses with diameters of about one meter each.

Transportation of HSC's wide-field corrector has involved scrupulous attention and care, because it is a very precise optical device. It left the Utsunomiya Optical Products Plant of Canon Inc. in Japan on July 6th, was flown to Los Angeles via Narita Airport on July 7th and went through the customs process in Los Angeles. It finally arrived at Kona International Airport on August 5th. Led by a police escort, the truck carrying the corrector left the airport during the early morning of August 6th and carefully transported it by land to Subaru Telescope near the summit of Mauna Kea - a journey of 6 hours.

The container used for the transport of the corrector is a custom-made item. Installation of anti-vibration rubber balls at the base of the container reduced vibrations during its conveyance. Thermometers and accelerometers, which were attached to the container, recorded its condition in transit.

Once the delivery of the corrector was complete and the records of its condition showed no problems, everyone concerned heaved a big sigh of relief. The addition of this huge, new instrument - HSC - will significantly improve observations at Subaru Telescope. Other parts of HSC will soon arrive at Subaru Telescope, and the installation of HSC will enter its final stage.


link:Hyper Suprime-Cam Project Page

 

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Photo 1: August 5th, 2011 at 16:30, Kona International Airport at Keahole.
Carefully unloading HSC from cargo airplane.

 

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Photo 2: August 6th, 2011 at 4:20, Kona International Airport at Keahole.
Preparing to transport HSC to Subaru Telescope at Mauna Kea.

 

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Photo 3: August 6th, 2011 at 4:20, Waikoloa Road.
Slowly transporting HSC to Subaru Telescope by truck.

 

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Photo 4: August 6th, 2011 at 12:10, near Subaru Telescope.
HSC has almost arrived at Subaru Telescope.

 

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Photo 5: August 6th, 2011 at 12:20, Subaru Telescope.
Finally, HSC has safely arrived at Subaru Telescope.

 

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Photo 6: August 6th, 2011 at 16:00, Subaru Telescope.
Carefully unpacking HSC, and checking the condition of HSC for damage during transport.

 



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