Preliminary design of the Kunlun Dark Universe Survey Telescope (KDUST)

• Published in: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union Vol. 8; no. S288; pp. 271 - 274
• Main Authors: Yuan, Xiangyan, Cui, Xiangqun, Su, Ding-qiang, Zhu, Yongtian, Wang, Lifan, Gu, Bozhong, Gong, Xuefei, Li, Xinnan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2012
• Subjects: Astronomy; Contributed Papers; Observatories; Telescopes; Antarctica; seeing; Dome A; KDUST; astronomical sites; telescopes
• ISSN: 1743-9213; 1743-9221
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921312016997

From theoretical analysis and site testing work for 4 years on Dome A, Antarctica, we can reasonably predict that it is a very good astronomical site, as good as or even better than Dome C and suitable for observations ranging from optical to infrared & sub-mm wavelengths. After the Chinese Small Telescope ARray (CSTAR), which was composed of four small fixed telescopes with diameter of 145mm and the three Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3) with 500mm entrance diameter, the Kunlun Dark Universe Survey Telescope (KDUST) with diameter of 2.5m is proposed. KDUST will adopt an innovative optical system which can deliver very good image quality over a 2 square degree flat field of view. Some other features are: a fixed focus suitable for different instruments, active optics for miscollimation correction, a lens-prisms that can be used as an atmospheric dispersion corrector or as a very low-dispersion spectrometer when moved in / out of the main optical path without changing the performance of the system, and a compact structure to make easier transportation to Dome A. KDUST will be mounted on a tower with height 15m in order to make a full use of the superb free atmospheric seeing.