The twin 8-m diameter Gemini telescopes were designed to use silver-based coatings on the mirrors in order to provide very high reflectivity and ultra-low emissivity for optimal infrared performance. ...A feasibility study provided both techniques and recipes to apply these thin films, and showed that a reflectivity of 99.1% at 10 μm was achievable. We have now produced bare and protected silver sputtered films in our coating plants and conducted environmental testing, both accelerated and in real-life conditions, to assess the durability in an observatory environment. We have also already applied, for the first time ever, protected-silver coatings on the main optical elements of a large telescope. We report here the performance of the films, the challenges to coat a 50 m
2 primary mirror (M1) and our plans for coating maintenance.
Infrared Sky Brightness Monitors for Antarctica Storey, J. W. V.; Ashley, M. C. B.; Boccas, M. ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
06/1999, Letnik:
111, Številka:
760
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Two sky brightness monitors—one for the near‐infrared and one for the mid‐infrared—have been developed for site survey work in Antarctica. The instruments, which we refer to as the NISM ...(Near‐Infrared Sky Monitor) and the MISM (Mid‐Infrared Sky Monitor), are part of a suite of instruments being deployed in the Automated Astrophysical Site‐Testing Observatory (AASTO). The chief design constraints include reliable, autonomous operation, low power consumption, and of course the ability to operate under conditions of extreme cold. The instruments are currently operational at the Amundsen‐Scott South Pole Station, prior to deployment at remote, unattended sites on the high antarctic plateau.
Antarctic Fiber Optic Spectrometer Boccas, Maxime; Ashley, Michael C. B.; Phillips, André ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
03/1998, Letnik:
110, Številka:
745
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Antarctic Fiber Optic Spectrometer (AFOS) is one of a suite of instruments of the Automated Astrophysical Site Testing Observatory (AASTO) installed at the South Pole in 1996 December. In 1998, ...the AFOS will be attached to an altitude‐azimuth mount and commence regular astronomical observations. In the years 1998–2000, the AASTO will be moved to other remote locations, high on the Antarctic plateau, in order to complete the site testing campaign. The AFOS experiment consists of a 30 cm Newtonian telescope injecting light into a 45 m length of optical fibers that feed a UV‐visible (200–840 nm) grating spectrograph inside the warm shelter. In this paper we describe the instrument and the first results. The main requirement of the design was reliable operation in an extremely cold environment, without maintenance, for 12 months. This has been achieved despite the very low power (approximately 7 W) available to run the instrument.
Training in the application of the HACCP method has been performed in the Lithuanian dairy industry, in the frame of a technical assistance project financed by the European Commission (PHARE ...Programme).
The guidelines adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for the application of the HACCP method (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System and Guidelines for its application, Annex to CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 3 (1997a), Codex Alimentarius, Supplement to vol. 1B , General Requirement (Food Hygiene).), the specific training package prepared by FAO for this purpose (Rome, 1997) and the EU directives (93/43/EEC–92/46 EEC–94/71 EEC) have been used as reference for the preparation and implementation of training activities.
The programme was organised in two main phases with different and complementary training approaches. After a 4-day intensive training session on food hygiene and HACCP held for all recipients at a training centre, the project team visited each of the 10 dairy plants selected by the Lithuanian Government, to provide on-site & on-the-job training to concerned factory and government staff. Each plant was visited at least twice. First, by teams of foreign and local experts during 2–3 days. Second, by local experts only, in order to provide an additional 2–3 days input on HACCP application.
The first phase (training session) was a useful preparatory exercise, but the “on-site sessions” showed that in depth understanding of the HACCP method could be better achieved through such approaches. Exercising at plant level, on practical cases, with the process lines within reach, made it possible to overcome several barriers to the transmission of information. This approach in which foreign and local experts interact during training, was also an opportunity for the recipients to understand how to comply more precisely with the national and international standards for food hygiene.
PDF
