The three CFHT upper ends

Various resolution downloads:
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Technical description:
The MegaPrime upper end  is not the only one in use at CFHT. In this picture, it is seen sitting on the floor ready to take its first ride, fully equipped, to the telescope. In the foreground is the F/8 upper end, holding the secondary mirror used when observations have to be made at the Cassegrain focus of the telescope. 
The MegaPrime upper end can be identified by its black and silver cover. In the background is the old prime- focus upper end, currently housing CFH12K. 
Astronomers used to spend hours in the "cage" - the black cylindrical structure on top of the upper end. As CFH12K is decommissioned, its upper end will be used for the Wide Field Infra-Red Camera (WIRCAM), the next CFHT wide field imager in development. 
Observing modes from prime focus to F/8 involves swapping the upper ends. It is generally done twice a month: dark nights, around New Moon, are often used for imaging the visible. Bright nights, around Full Moon, are mainly devoted to the spectroscopy of bright objects or infrared observations, which are not greatly affected by the presence of a bright Moon., 
 
 
 

Credit line: "Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope / 2003"

Copyright © 2003 Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation


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All images on this page are to be used exclusively for the purpose of media announcements related to MegaPrime.
For any other use, please seek authorization from CFHT's PR officer .
Any images used should be credited as follow: "Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope / 2003"