Re: Trip Report

[Nick Beser <beser@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu>]

> The people at NOFS think I have been too cheap in the side plates of the 
> Mark IV.  They are 1/8" material.  It is after all the Navy, and they are 
> used to building battleships out of 12" armour plate.  So possibly they 
> will remake the side plates.  I am yet to see any evidence that they wiggle 
> enough to affect the exposures.  But I can be shown.   Arne kept pointing 
> to the second pier sitting next to the one with the Mark IV and offering it 
> for ARNE2.  This will depend on my getting someone to Lumigen coat a CCD so 
> it is sensitive in the blue.  We shall see if this can be done.
> 

Tom,

This was a interesting report. In defense of the "Navy" approach, their
equipment often has to operate in hostile environment. We discovered that
at APL, leaving a telescope outside is a hostile environment. If I was
sending a system into combat, then 12 inches is not enough, but if my
telescope is accidently exposed to the elements, then 1/8 may not be
enough either.

We also have high power radars on our roof that can interfere with the
electronics. (The radars typically operate very infrequently). The our
housing acts as EMC protection.

Nick