Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Model of image degradation due to wind buffeting on an extremely large telescope
Stephen Padin1, Warren Davison
1California Institute of Technology, MS 105-24, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. spadin@caltech.edu
Abstract:
A parametric model of wind buffeting on an extremely large telescope with a multipod secondary support is described. The model estimates wave-front errors that are due to wind buffeting on a segmented primary, wind-induced secondary figure and position errors, and primary-mirror deformations caused by wind forces on the secondary support. The approach is based on a Zernike expansion of pressure fluctuations, with simple models of stiffness, resonance, and control. The model shows that wind buffeting on a multipod attached to the primary mirror cell significantly degrades the image quality in a large telescope with a slow primary.
Related Concept Videos
Influence of Earth's Curvature and Atmospheric Refraction on Leveling
Design Example: Calculating Safe Diameter for Wind-Exposed Disc
Wind Turbine Machine Models
Induction machines interact through the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator and the rotor. The key parameter is slip, which is the difference between synchronous speed and rotor speed relative to synchronous speed. Slip is...
Vectors in 2D: Problem Solving
