Today the first optical tables were set up in the new optics laboratory at the Thuringian State Observatory.
(Image: TLS)
In order to meet the growing demand for the development of new optical instruments at the TLS, a new optics laboratory is being set up. To this end, a basement room in the observatory's main building has been renovated over the past few months and equipped with new ventilation and electrical installations. Today the time had come and the first 3 m x 1.2 m optics table was set up. As it was not possible to transport such a large single table weighing around 600 kg into the cellar, it was assembled from two smaller parts weighing "only" 300 kg. But this transport also required skill, prudence and above all muscle power, which was provided by 6 employees of a Jena removal company. The first items to be measured in the new laboratory are special liquid crystal retarders for the observatory's new solar laboratory.