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The Hartebeesthoek Terrestrial Laser Scanning Project – Concept and First Results

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In May 2024, gravitational deformation measurements were performed at the 26 m and 15 m radio telescopes ofthe South African Radio Astronomy Observatory at Hartebeesthoek (HARTRAO and HART15M) in cooperationof SARAO, TU München and TU Wien. The method of choice was to use a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS)mounted underneath the sub-reflector with a two-axis gimbal hinge to keep the scanner in a vertical position atall telescope tilts. For a full gravitational VLBI delay model, the 26 m HARTRAO telescope with polar mountwas pointed at about 80 different Hour Angle/Declination positions for the TLS to perform its scans of the mainreflector and the sub-reflector. Here, we present the necessary steps of preparation, the measurements themselves,and first results.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15268722

Authors: Pfaffinger, Th, Nothnagel, Axel, Botha, Roelf, Mey, Philip, Stronkhorst, Pieter, Quick, Jonathan, Holst, Christoph, Nickola, Marisa

Institutions: Technical University of Munich, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

Language: English

Topic: Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W6930844895

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