The NANTEN2 Telescope
In mid 2004, the NANTEN telescope moved from Las Campanas, Chile, where it was located since 1995, to its new site on Pampa la Bola in the Chilean Atacama desert (see the Picture section).
The telescope was upgraded with a new submillimeter dish, a new subreflector, and an improved drive system. It is housed inside a dome to protect it from severe weather conditions and high wind speeds.
Right: The NANTEN2 main reflector and subreflector in their container after arrival at Antofagasta.
The telescope is a 4 m Cassegrain system, whose main reflector was manufactured by Mitsubishi. It consists of 33 aluminum panels that are adjustable with actuators (3 for each panel), and a light-weight carbon fibre back structure. After adjustment of the main reflector using photogarmmetry and holography in late 2005, the expected surface accuracy is 20 micron rms. All receivers will be mounted on one Nasmyth port.
See this page for a collection of technical drawings.
Specifications
| Type | Cassegrain |
| Aperture | 4 m |
| f/D | |
| Main reflector | 33 aluminum panels |
| back structure | carbon fibre |
| weight |
Observing frequencies and angular resolutions
|
Observed Frequency |
Wave length |
Angular resolution
|
Main beam efficiency*
|
|
(GHz)
|
(micron)
|
||
|
115
|
2600
|
180"
|
|
|
230
|
1300
|
90"
|
|
|
345
|
870
|
60"
|
|
|
460
|
650
|
45"
|
|
|
490
|
610
|
40"
|
0.50
|
|
809
|
370
|
25"
|
0.45
|
|
880
|
340
|
22"
|
*Estimates based on an assumed rms surface accuracy of 20 micron.