UKIRT Dome Ventilation

The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) is a 3.8 meter infrared reflecting telescope located near the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.  In order to encourage adequate dome ventilation, to reduce dome seeing, a dome ventilation system was designed to be installed in the lower dome skirt.  M3’s involvement included structural design and engineering of the enclosure ventilation louvers.  M3 was also involved in the fabrication and installation of a prototype frame assembly prior to production of the final ventilation units.