Proposed 131-cm f/3.5 Achromatic Schmidt Telescope

An achromatic Schmidt design is proposed for use in twin instruments at Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo (Chile). The use of an achromatic plate, rather than the conventional Schmidt plate, allows extended spectral coverage by virtue of improved aberration correction. The improvement in geometrical blur diameter appears to be on the order of three times or an improved light concentration of nine times. Some schemes to convert the Schmidt to a Cassegrainian telescope during bright moon periods are evaluated; the choice would be determined on the basis of acceptable mechanical assemblies and economic factors.