Gemini Observatory/NOAO/AURA/NSF
Scientific American magazine featured
a story in their April 1999 issue on the Gemini Telescopes, two
of the world's largest optical telescopes. The 8-meter diameter
mirrors are each protected by an accordion-fold cover made of
aluminum honeycomb panels fabricated by Paneltec Corporation.
These sets of hinged panels, 15 inches wide and nearly 28 feet
long were shipped to Hilo, Hawaii, in May of 1997 and one pair
is now in use at the top of Mauna Kea; the other pair has been
installed in Chile.
