The 2.5m telescope which has been jointly developed by Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology (NIAOT) and REOSC company belong to SAFRAN (France) is used for astronomy research.

It is a kind of professional telescope which is equipped with active position compensation of the secondary mirror, multifocal automatic switching and remote control function. Its optical properties, point tracking precision and another comprehensive technical requirements are in a considerable advanced level with international similar telescope.

REOSC company is responsible for the development of optical system and NIAOT is responsible for the development of electromechanical systems and guiding star system.

Combined adjustment of the telescope’s M&E system was completed on installation site of NIAOT in April, 2014. Afterwards, Sino-French joint commissioning team went to Russia for combined adjustment of optical, mechanical and electronic system for several times.

Because of efforts of the Sino-French joint commissioning team and overcoming the difficulties of cross-border operations, they completed optical assembly and calibration, the establishment and calibration of point models, institutions and commissioning of guiding star and another tasks concerning combined adjustment of the optical, mechanical and electronic system within less than 30 days of the effective working time on April 4th, 2015.

After initial testing, all the comprehensive performance indicators have reached or exceeded the technical requirements.

Preliminary test results of key indicators showed that the telescope performance reached the international advanced level of telescope.

Pointing Accuracy: RMS over full sky is better than 3";

PV is better than 5″.

Tracking Accuracy:

Guiding star in open loop: RMS in 5 minutes is better than 0.2″;

Guiding star in closed loop: RMS in 30 minutes is better than 0.2″.

Russian astronomers used astrology data which was achieved by Test Observation (300s exposure without guiding star) to analyze and assess the performance of the telescope. The image can clearly distinguish 0.4″astrology details.

It was considered that the telescope had excellent mechanical and electrical overall performance which was perfectly matching FWHM0.5 "-0.7" atmospheric seeing condition of station sites.

At present, the telescope has been carried out test observations by Sternberg Astronomical Institute of Moscow State University, and the overall acceptance is expected before the end of this year.

Russia's 2.5 m Telescope