Goodrich Delivers Telescope Optics to Chilean Mountaintop (Forwarded)

Goodrich Corporation

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Gail K. Warner
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Goodrich Corporation
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Dec. 8, 2003

Goodrich Delivers Telescope Optics to Chilean Mountaintop

Technology allows researchers the use of mirrors with light-gathering power
350,000 times that of the human eye

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has delivered the optical
assemblies for the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR,
http://www.soartelescope.org/) telescope to an 8,800-foot mountain in the
Chilean Andes. The effort is funded by a partnership between the U.S. National
Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), the Nation of Brazil, Michigan State
University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The telescope
will provide astronomers with high quality imaging of heavenly objects. It will
also provide imaging spectroscopy -- the mapping of specific materials by
detection of their chemical composition. The telescope will be operated by the
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a division of NOAO.

Goodrich's Danbury, Connecticut-based Optical and Space Systems division was
responsible for the design and fabrication of the telescope's Active Optical
System, which consists of three mirror assemblies -- a 14-foot primary mirror
and smaller secondary and tertiary mirrors. The primary mirror assembly provides
a light-gathering power 350,000 times that of the human eye and has an "active"
mirror surface for accurate focusing. The secondary mirror system allows the
telescope to align the optics while compensating for the image distorting
effects of heat and gravity. The tertiary mirror system directs the images
captured to any of nine different scientific cameras and instruments and
incorporates a unique fast tip/tilt motion to stabilize images by correcting for
atmospheric turbulence jitter.

In addition to the mirrors and the associated drive electronics, Goodrich also
developed the software system that controls the actuators and drive mechanism
that allow astronomers to control the instrument.

Goodrich's delivery of the system culminates four years of design and optical
fabrication efforts in Danbury. The primary mirror was ground and polished using
Goodrich's computer controlled polisher. In addition, several Goodrich engineers
traveled to Chile to assist in installation and initial operation of the
telescope. Images captured from the telescope will be provided to observers in
the United States via an internet video link.

Goodrich's Optical and Space Systems division is an industry leader in supplying
active optics and telescope systems for both ground and space based applications.

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global supplier of
systems and services to the aerospace and defense industry. If there's an
aircraft in the sky -- we're on it. Goodrich technology is involved in making
aircraft fly ... helping them land ... and keeping them safe. Serving a global
customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities,
Goodrich is one of the largest "pure play" aerospace companies in the world. For
more information visit
http://www.goodrich.com

NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
(AURA) inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.