| Name: | Thubstan Rinchen |
| Affiliation: | BHABHA ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE |
| Conference ID: | ASI2025_559 |
| Title: | Design & Development of mechanism for Mirror Panel Maintenance for MACE Telescope |
| Authors: | S Norlha 1, T Rinchen 1, Keshva Nand 1, VK Dhar 1, N Chouhan 1, K K Yadav 1,2 |
| Authors Affiliation: | 1 Astrophysical Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
2 Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India |
| Mode of Presentation: | Oral |
| Abstract Category: | Facilities, Technologies and Data science |
| Abstract: | MACE (Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment), an imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope is operational at Hanle in Ladakh to explore the very high energy gamma ray universe. The telescope is equipped with a large, 21 m diameter quasi-parabolic optical reflector. The tessellated light collector comprises of 356 mirror panels of each 0.984m X 0.984m supported on basket frame structure on three ball joint pivots. Each mirror panel consists of 4 mirror facets of size 0.488m × 0.488m, grouped to obtain a single reflecting surface. Maintenance of the mirror panels is necessary due to the gradual misalignment of mirror facets, reduced reflectivity, and issues with mechanical connections. The primary challenge in maintaining these mirror panels arises from the substantial size of the light collector, a limited position of telescope under which we can conduct the maintenance and constrained space available for maintenance due to high fill factor of light collecting surface. To address this, a mechanism has been developed for replacement of mirror panels on the basket frame. This mechanism encompasses a device for securely holding the mirrors, a mechanism for projecting them, and a device for collecting the mirrors. It allows for the extension of mirror panels beyond the reflective surface by 240 mm, accomplished through a lead screw system affixed to the basket in place of the existing pivot clamps. This projection of the mirror panels greatly simplifies the process of disassembly and reassembly. The collection of mirrors onto an aerial access platform is facilitated by a mirror holder frame attached to basket of Ariel access platform and a vibration isolator to avoid the transfer of gravity movement of Ariel access platform to the telescope basket. The mechanical design and the outcomes of the testing for this mechanism will be presented during the meeting. |
