The compact, low scattered-light 2m Wendelstein Fraunhofer Telescope

Abstract

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen operates an astrophysical observatory on the summit of Mt. Wendelstein¹ which will be equipped with a modern 2m-class, robotic telescope. The plan is to operate one of the most efficient robotic 2m telescopes in Europe in order to offer optimal scientific opportunities for our researchers and maintain highest standards for the education of students. The 2m <i>Fraunhofer</i> telescope in its new 8.5m dome has a modern, very compact alt.-azimuth design. Two Nasmyth ports will harbor a wide-field camera (WWFI²), a medium field multi-channel camera (3kk³), a low resolution IFU spectrograph (VIRUSW⁴) and a high resolution spectrograph (upgraded FOCES⁵). All instruments will be simultaneously ready for remote or robotic observations. The telescope is designed as a 3-mirror <i>f</i>/7.8 system and should maintain the excellent (&lt; 0.8" median) seeing of the site1 over a field of view (f.o.v.) of 0.7 deg diameter with a field corrector for the wide field port at optical wavelength. The second port provides a f.o.v. of 60 arcmin² without any corrector optics. It is optimized for simultaneous optical and NIR imaging as well as field spectroscopy and echelle high resolution spectroscopy over the full optical wavelength regime.6 Here we present the design of the telescope as well as the scope and projected time line of the overall project.