We have developed a novel imaging instrument, the volume holographic telescope, which is capable of returning high-resolution depth information about remote objects. We present a theoretical analysis of the instrument's performance and an experimental demonstration with a microfabricated object.

Next generation sequencing technologies led to the discovery of numerous new microbe species in diverse environmental samples. Some of the new species contain genes never encountered before. Some of these genes encode proteins with novel functions, and some of these genes encode proteins that perform some well-known function in a novel way. A tool, named the Metagenomic Telescope, is described ...

We present a new approach to building a modular segmented space telescope that greatly leverages the heritage of the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. The modular design in which mirror segments are assembled into identical panels allows for economies of scale and for efficient space assembly that make a 20-m aperture approach cost effective. This assembly approach can ...

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) project is described. This multi-institution collaboration aims to produce arcminute-resolution and micro-Kelvin sensitivity maps of the microwave background temperature over 200 square degrees of the sky in three frequency bands. We give a brief overview of the scientific motivations for such a map, followed by a design outline of our six-meter custom tele...

With the ever increasing level of automation of astronomical telescopes the benefits and feasibility of automated planning and scheduling are becoming more apparent. Improved efficiency and increased overall telescope utilization are the most obvious goals. Automated scheduling at some level has been done for several satellite observatories, but the requirements on these systems were much less ...

1. ABSTRACT In this technical report we show how the insufficient precision of the previous telescope alignment procedure could be the cause of the observed astigmatism. A better alignment procedure is needed in order to achieve the specified wavefront quality. We propose a new procedure using more precise equipment.

We explore solutions for the optical design of the OWL 100-m telescope, and discuss their properties, advantages and drawbacks in relation to top level requirements. Combining cost, design, fabrication and functionality issues, and taking into account the scale of the telescope, we conclude that the requirements are best met with a design based on spherical primary and secondary mirrors. The co...

Preliminary results from CANGAROO-II, a 10 m imaging Cherenkov telescope, in Woomera, South Australia are presented. They include the confirmation of detections of TeV gamma-ray sources we have reported using a 3.8 m telescope, CANGAROO-I. Also the status of the construction of an array of four 10 m telescopes, called CANGAROO-III, is reported. The first telescope of the array was upgraded from...

The goal of this project is to create a medium-sized multidisciplinary design optimization model that displays strong interactions in-between design variables. This model will be inputted into an automated coordination composition method that will show the tradeoffs of decomposing the problem in different arrangements. A telescope product is used for the model. The telescope model chosen for th...

A new adaptive optics system has been constructed for moderately high resolution in the near infrared at the Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT). The system, called FASTTRAC II, has been designed to combine the highest throughput with the lowest possible background emission by making the adaptive optical element be an existing and necessary part of the telescope, and by eliminating all warm surface...