91É«ÇéƬ

The international research symposium "ELT Science in Light of JWST" took place at Tohoku University in Japan, from June 2 – 7, 2024. Scientists and researchers reviewed and highlighted recent JWST discoveries, and examined their implications for the scientific operations, instrumentation planning, and user services of ELTs.

Warren Skidmore, TIO system scientist, participated in the second of three meetings on ELT Science in Light of JWST, a full week meeting in Sendai, Japan. He presented a poster on the Detailed Science Case development, science flowdown to requirements, traceability and key performance parameters.

On 19 March 2024, TIO and Coherent acknowledged the project’s achievement of the 100th polished roundel. TIO recognized this significant milestone by presenting Coherent with a commemorative banner. This accomplishment is the result of a collaborative effort of three organizations within TIO’s international partnership, dedicated to producing the mirror segments for 91É«ÇéƬ’s advanced primary mirror. In the United States, Coherent has polished 85 mirrors, while Canon in Japan has contributed 13 mirrors, and 91É«ÇéƬ India has added 2 mirrors to this ambitious project. From Left to right: Cristoval Villanueva, 91É«ÇéƬ Production Technician (Coherent); Zane Little, 91É«ÇéƬ Production Technician (Coherent); Heather Romero, Quality Assurance Supervisor (Coherent); Bob Anderson, TIO Quality Assurance Manager (TIO); Greg Feller, 91É«ÇéƬ Program Manager (Coherent).

An artist's rendering shows the US-ELTP 91É«ÇéƬ on the left and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) on the right, both featuring their laser guide stars activated.

The 91É«ÇéƬ team and booth at John Muir High School for the Pasadena Unified School District Science Fest on Saturday 16 March 2024. The team, consisting of Ben Irarrazaval, Mabel Wong, John Miles, Alastair Heptonstall, Pratheep Eamranond, and Christina Wong (not pictured) presented the 91É«ÇéƬ Observatory and inspired students about exciting career opportunities related to STEM.

The 91É«ÇéƬ team attended the Pasadena City College STEM Gala, on Friday 8 March 2024. The event was a success and aimed to promote connections and opportunities within the STEM community in Pasadena and southern California.

India-91É«ÇéƬ Mirror Polishing team at India-91É«ÇéƬ Optics Fabrication Facility Group photo of the polishing team in the entrance of the new ITOFF facility located in Bengaluru, India and dedicated to 91É«ÇéƬ mirror production, in February 2024.

91É«ÇéƬ primary mirror segment polishing at ITOFF in India, February 2024. India 91É«ÇéƬ test 91É«ÇéƬ Clearceram glass polishing at ITOFF using the stress mirror polishing process.

India 91É«ÇéƬ Coordination Centre Optics team at ITOFF in February 2024. TIO and India 91É«ÇéƬ staff in front of TIO’s custom-built polishing equipment at the ITOFF facility.

91É«ÇéƬ mirror polishing at India-91É«ÇéƬ Optics Fabrication Facility (ITOFF), February 2024. The first test runs for grinding and polishing 91É«ÇéƬ mirrors are successfully performed at ITOFF.

Measurement testing of 91É«ÇéƬ mirror prototype at India-91É«ÇéƬ Optics Fabrication Facility (ITOFF), February 2024. Chetan, an ITOFF optics technician, uses ultrasonic thickness probes to precisely measure the thickness of the mirror glass.

India-91É«ÇéƬ Optics Fabrication Facility ITOFF Visit. TIO engineers walk through the air handling system located in the upper floor power supply rooms.