Astrophysics (Index)About

elevation range

(measure of how high and low a telescope can be pointed)

The elevation range of a telescope is a measure, typically in degrees of how high and low the telescope can be pointed as an angle above the horizon, 0 degrees being toward the horizon, 90 degrees being vertical. The elevation range may limit how much of the sky can be viewed at a given time, and also when portions of the celestial sphere can be viewed. An example might be 5-80 i.e., "from 5° to 80°". The term can be applied to non-optical telescopes such as radio telescopes. The "door" (shutters) of an observatory (through which the telescope is pointed) may impose limits on the facility's elevation range. There are telescopes that can point straight up and swing to the other side, the top of their range specified by an angle larger than 90°.


(telescopes,measure,specification)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyhole_problem
https://www.gb.nrao.edu/scienceDocs/GBTpg.pdf
https://aro.as.arizona.edu/?q=facilities/uarizona-aro-12-meter-telescope
http://lmtgtm.org/telescope/telescope-description/
https://www3.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/div/hhertz/smtspecs_telescope.html

Referenced by page:
Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST)

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