Editing Siding Spring 2.3 m Telescope

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
<!-- {{Infobox telescope}} wikidata unfixedable-->
{{Infobox telescope
| name         = Advanced Technology Telescope
| background   =   
| image        =   File:Siding Spring 2.3 m Telescope.png
| caption      = 
| organization = [[Australian National University]]
| location     = [[Siding Spring Observatory]]
| coords       = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|type:landmark_Region:XX|display=inline,title}} -->
| altitude     = 1,165 m
| weather      = 
| wavelength   = 
| built        = 
| first_light  = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| website      = <!-- {{{URL|example.com}} -->
| style        = 
| diameter     = 2.3 m
| diameter2    = 0.3 m
| diameter3    = 
| angular_resolution = 
| area         = 
| focal_length = f/2.05
| mounting     = [[Altazimuth mount]]
| dome         = Co-rotating
| commons      = <!-- (Page or category name at Commons) -->
}}
The 2.3&nbsp;metre [[telescope]] at [[Siding Spring Observatory]] is operated by the [[Australian National University]]. The '''Advanced Technology Telescope''' was constructed during the early 1980s and featured, at the time, bold features and design: an unusually thin mirror, an alt-az mount and co-rotating dome.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mathewson |first=Don S. |date=2013 |title=The Australian National University’s 2.3m New Generation Telescope At Siding Spring Observatory |url=https://engine.scichina.com/doi/pdf/7330B0EEFE694D83B05331974303E509?ipInfo=120.17.42.35 |journal=Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=2-28 |via=Sciengine}}</ref><ref name="anu23m">{{cite web |url=http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observatories/siding-spring-observatory/telescopes/anu-23m-telescope |title=ANU 2.3m Telescope |work=ANU College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences |publisher=The Australian National University |accessdate=15 April 2013 }}</ref>  The optical telescope has [[Altazimuth mount]] and a primary mirror with a focal length of f/2.05.<ref name="anu23m"/>  It is housed in a box-shaped building which rotates as the telescope tracks objects.

Instrumentation includes an integral field [[spectrograph]] known as WiFeS, an echelle [[spectrograph]], and a Nasmyth imager. The telescope is a workhorse for numerous large programs where it is used to do follow-up observations on objects of interest before more extensive observations are made at larger telescopes. It is also a valuable tool for training students in the astronomical observing techniques.

==History==
The telescope was the initiative of Don Mathewson. It was inaugurated Prime Minister, [[Bob Hawke]] on 16 May 1984.<ref name="ess"/> It was regarded as an achievement in high technology for Australia. In 1985, it won an award from the [[Engineers Australia|Institution of Engineers]].<ref name="ess"/>

In 2023 the telescope was automated to robotically study astrophysical explosions<ref>{{Cite web |title=2.3m Automation {{!}} The Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics |url=https://cga.anu.edu.au/research/projects/23m-automation |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=cga.anu.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

==Mirror==
The mirror used in the telescope is much thinner than those typically used in a telescope mirror.  Its ratio of diameter to thickness is about 20:1.<ref name="ess">{{cite book |title=Explorers of the Southern Sky: A History of Australian Astronomy |last=Haynes |first=Raymond |date=1996 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=0521365759 |pages=184–185 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XoeiJxMmXZ8C |accessdate=15 April 2013}}</ref>  The light mirror and rotating design allows the telescope to be rapidly moved as observations are made.

==See also==
*[[List of large optical telescopes]]
*[[List of largest optical telescopes in the 20th century]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Australian_National_University}}
{{Portal bar|Australia|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}}
[[Category:Reflecting telescopes]]
[[Category:Siding Spring Observatory]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Australia]]