Press
release
Alluna Optics delivers
28 inch - mirrors for IAS observatory
at the Gamsberg/Namibia
The Gamsberg (2347 m) on
the edge of the Namibebene belongs astronomically seen to the three best
locations for telescopes on the south hemisphere. The observation conditions
are comparably with La Silla, the location of the European south observatory
in Chile or the Paranal, the location of the Very Large Telescope.
The “Tafelberg” was already
bought by the Max-Planck institute for astronomy (MPIA) more than 30 years
ago. However, didn't become the planned observatory in Namibia but in La
Sille Chile builtly. The organization IAS (international Amateur-Sternwarte
e.V.) has leased the area of the MPIA now. Aim is the erection of an observatory
on the peak plateau, which gives the amateur astronomers the possibility
to watch the southern starry sky under optimal observation conditions with
major part sera telescopes.
The installation of a 28
inch telescope is planned, which can be used visually but also photographically.
The difficult construction with altogether 2.5 tons of weight, a gift of
the MPIA, is just modified.
The optics, main mirror
and heliostat, is delivered by the company Alluna Optics. The 28
inch f4,4 main mirrors is already completed and becomes tested in Germany
with the whole construction soon.
The values determined at
the test bed for the optics might meet all expectations to the visual performance.
The putting into operation on the plateau of the Gamsberg is for planned
in 2007.
A numerous equipment is already
disposal at the amateur astronomers in the organization observatory,
e.g. a 45 cm Bath-Astrokamera "AK2", a 40 cm Cassegrain as well as further
telescopes and contructions.
Further projects, e.g. the
realization of a 80 cm robot telescope, are already far advanced.
Further information about
the IAS http://www.ias-observatory.org
Further information about
Alluna Optics http://www.alluna
optics.de
Imprint permitted
Contact
Alluna Optics
Dr.-Jaufmann-Strasse 18
D-86399 Bobingen
Germany
Gamsberg / Namibia
Bildquelle: Bernd Schroeter,
Regensburg
