Mirror-supporting device and mirror-supporting system

摘要

A mirror-supporting device for a mirror-supporting telescope contains an astatic lever (2) having a counterweight (3) for radial support and moves the lever parallel to the telescope axis for creating an axial support. The axial supporting force is transferred by a load cell (10) to the mirror (1), which load cell is arranged between the end of the lever and the mirror. The load cell (10) thus determines the entire axial force applied, but not radial components, even when the mirror is shifted with respect to the cell. The lever (2) is driven in the axial direction by means of a spring (8) which contributes to fine adjustment. A damping device for damping vibrations can be added. The counterweight can be fastened to the lever by means of another spring for compensating bending of the lever. The device transfers axial and radial supporting forces with highest precision, such as is required for very large, thin telescope mirrors (Fig. 4). <IMAGE>