A suggested procedure for testing large cassegrainian optical systems

The optical elements of a cassegrainian telescope are commonly tested individually, with their axes in a horizontal position. When these optical elements are inserted in the telescope, the resulting imagery is often disappointing. The quality of the imagery in the telescope may be predicted more accurately if the primary and secondary mirrors, with their axes in the vertical position, are tested against each other with the aid of null compensating reimaging optics. An example is given to illustrate the application of the technique.