Running one of the world's largest telescopes Submitted by sis
on 05 August 2006 In the past, the life of an astronomer may
have been one of quiet nights spent peering through a telescope
eyepiece. At the start of the 21st century, however, astronomy
is an exciting, international endeavour. Modern astronomical
research encompasses the greatest distances and masses, and the
most extreme conditions, to be found in the universe. Not
everyone who is involved with astronomy is necessarily an
astronomer, however. Research-class telescopes are the state of
the art. Their advanced detectors are cryogenically cooled to
temperatures close to absolute zero, the telescope systems use
the latest optical techniques, and the whole structure is a
complex feat of engineering. Sophisticated computer systems are
needed to handle the flow of data. To support this technology, a
modern observatory also employs engineers, technicians, computer
specialists, and a host of support staff. Let's take a look at a
day in the life of the V