Ms. Heather K. Marshall Profile

Heather K. Marshall

Principal Mechanical Engineer at National Radio Astronomy Observatory

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Chair | Editor | Author

Websites:

Company Website

Proceedings Article | 11 September 2024 Presentation + Paper

DKIST enclosure azimuth mechanism adjustments for improved performance and reliability

James Hoag, Heather Marshall, Paul Jeffers

Proceedings Volume 13094, 130940C (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019217

KEYWORDS: Tolerancing, Design, Finite element methods, Deformation, Reliability, Telescopes

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The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) located on the summit of Haleakalā, Maui is the largest solar telescope in the world. Housing a 4-meter off-axis primary mirror and a highly advanced adaptive optics system, DKIST is enabling observations of specific regions of the Sun in higher resolution and greater detail than any preexisting ground-based telescope. The DKIST Enclosure Azimuth Mechanism is responsible for accurate positioning of the Enclosure in azimuth and provides a second degree of freedom to the altitude movement of the Enclosure Shutter which enables an overall position accuracy of 19 arcmin point-to-point at the Enclosure Aperture. The mechanism is primarily comprised of sixteen track rail segments, eight driven bogies, and two idler bogies, and it serves as the interface between the fixed support building Ring Girder structure and the rotating Enclosure structure. Visual observations and control system torque data have shown evidence of a loss of contact at the interface between the individual bogie wheels and the track rail. This loss of contact results in imbalanced loading conditions that impact performance and reliability as loads are varied in proportion to the number of wheels in contact. In addition, visual inspections have shown early indications of rolling contact fatigue at specific azimuth locations of the track rails due to high contact stresses. As a result, a project was initiated to improve load sharing and maintain tracking accuracy by minimizing pointing error deviations that result from rail flatness tolerances variations, unanticipated mechanical deformations from load imbalances, and varying control systems demands. In addition, equalizing the load balance will reduce unintended fatigue loading of the structural and mechanical components as well as reduce contact stresses in the rail sections improving overall mechanism reliability. The investigation, implementation, and evaluation of this process is presented herein.

Proceedings Article | 11 September 2024 Presentation + Paper

The US National Science Foundation Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope operations commissioning: results and lessons learned

Thomas Rimmele, Alexandra Tritschler, Andres Parraguez, Friedrich Wöger, Bret Goodrich, Luke Johnson, Heather Marshall, Paul Jeffers, Alisdair Davey, Robert Tawa, Gary Candido, David Boboltz, Tetsu Anan, Christian Beck, Gianna Cauzzi, Serena Criscuoli, André Fehlmann, Catherine Fischer, David Harrington, Sarah Jaeggli, Maxim Kramar, David Kuridze, Thomas Schad, Dirk Schmidt, Joao Manuel da Silva Santos, Lucas Tarr, Han Uitenbroek, James Arnow, Joel Davidow, Dale Deibert, Alysa Derks, Arthur Eigenbrot, Tony Hays, Erik Johansson, Daniel Spiess, Frazer Watson, Scott Wiant, Hillary Hope Head, David Morris, Manuel Díaz Alfaro, Nuria Wright-Garba, Anthony Santini, Andrew Beard, David Berst, Bryan Cummings, Andrew Ferayorni, Stephen Guzzo, John Hubbard, Jon Munoz, Isabell Scholl, Eric Cross, Colleen Donnelly, Steve O'Brien, Rodell Agdinaoay, Wade Bortz, Christopher Foster, Gary Foster, Chriselle Ann Galapon, Brian Gregory, Stephanie Guzman, Marco Guzman, James Hoag, Mary Liang, Karl Newman, Brialyn Onodera, Sebastien Poupar, Myles Puentes, Lukas Rimmele, Erik Starman, Stacey Sueoka, Richard Summers, Aimee Szabo, Louis Szabo, Timothy Williams, Charles White, Chad Bader, James Barry, Eric Bio, Terran Carter, Linda Evans, Bruce Keahi, Kealli Koki, Michael Lay, Aidan Lay, Justin Lay, Barry Poe, Norman Tong, Roberto Casini, Alfred deWijn, Jeffrey Kuhn, Haosheng Lin, Thomas Kentischer, Clemens Halbgewachs

Proceedings Volume 13094, 130940Y (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3022760

KEYWORDS: Equipment, Magnetism, Calibration, Adaptive optics, Tunable filters, Polarization, Solar telescopes, Solar processes, Optical filters, Sun

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Proceedings Article | 11 September 2024 Presentation + Paper

NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope: the highs and lows of commissioning and transition to early operations

Paul Jeffers, Heather Marshall

Proceedings Volume 13094, 130940U (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019340

KEYWORDS: Observatories, Telescopes, Equipment, Design, Engineering, Systems engineering, Safety, Solar telescopes, Project management, Education and training

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The National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is the largest solar telescope in the world; it has and continues to provide the sharpest views ever taken of the solar surface. The telescope has a 4m aperture primary mirror, however, due to the off-axis nature of the optical layout, the telescope mount, enclosure, and observatory have proportions similar to an 8-metre class telescope. The integration of the primary mirror cell to the telescope mount in 2018 was the start of the integration, testing, and commissioning phase of observatory construction. From this point onwards, the integration was a staged process of assembling/integrating sub-systems into the overall observatory system followed by commissioning and verification testing at both the subsystem and system level. DKIST first light initiative was carried out in 2019 with the public release of images in Jan 2020. The observatory officially finished construction in Nov 2021 and moved into the Operations Commissioning Phase which is currently ongoing. This paper provides an overview and discussion of the integration, testing, and commissioning (IT&C) phase of the construction project and the first years of the operations phase. The paper’s perspective is that of the site-based team coordinating the reception and integration of subsystems at the observatory and managing the integration schedule, staff, and budget; this team subsequently transitioned to become the site Technical Operations team at the conclusion of the formal NSF major research infrastructure construction phase. The challenges from logistical, management, and technical perspectives will be highlighted along with strategies that worked and those that did not. Also where appropriate there will be discussion on lessons-learned and what would be done differently. Topics covered in the paper will include (but not be limited to) system incremental capacity relating to staged commissioning, balancing campaign style work patterns of travelers and contractors with local staff, multi-instrument integration, testing time estimation, Band-aids and Bypasses, construction to operations culture and management style.

Proceedings Article | 29 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope: status and first results

Thomas Rimmele, Mark Warner, Roberto Casini, Jeffery Kuhn, Haosheng Lin, Friedrich Wöger, Alexandra Tritschler, Alisdair Davey, Alfred de Wijn, Andre Fehlmann, David Harrington, Sarah Jaeggli, Thomas Schad, Tetsu Anan, Christian Beck, Heather Marshall, Paul Jeffers, Andrew Beard, David Berst, Eric Cross, Bryan Cummings, Colleen Donneley, Arthur Eigenbrot, Andrew Ferayorni, Christopher Foster, Chriselle Ann Galapon, Bret Goodrich, Brian Gregory, Stephanie Guzman, Stephen Guzzo, John Hubbard, Erik Johansson, Luke Johnson, Mary Liang, Brialyn Onodera, Myles Puentes, Lukas Rimmele, Erik Starman, Stacey Sueoka, Richard Summers, Aimee Szabo, Louis Szabo, Timothy Williams, Charles White

Proceedings Volume 12182, 121820Z (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2644469

KEYWORDS: Adaptive optics, Solar telescopes, Telescopes, Mirrors, Visible radiation, Solar processes, Magnetism, Sun, Polarization, Polarimetry

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Proceedings Article | 16 December 2020 Open Access

The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

Heather Marshall, Thomas Rimmele

Proceedings Volume 11445, 1144503 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2590134

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Proceedings Article | 6 July 2018 Paper

Construction update of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope project

Mark Warner, Thomas Rimmele, Valentin Pillet, Roberto Casini, Steve Berukoff, Simon Craig, Andrew Ferayorni, Bret Goodrich, Robert Hubbard, David Harrington, Paul Jeffers, Erik Johansson, Ruth Kneale, Jeff Kuhn, Chen Liang, Haosheng Lin, Heather Marshall, Mihalis Mathioudakis, William McBride, Joseph McMullin, William McVeigh, Predrag Sekulic, Wolfgang Schmidt, Steve Shimko, Stacey Sueoka, Rich Summers, Alexandra Tritschler, Timothy Williams, Friedrich Wöger

Proceedings Volume 10700, 107000V (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314212

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Optical fabrication, Cameras, Mirrors, Control systems, Solar processes, Observatories, Polarimetry, Imaging systems, Polarization

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Construction of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is well underway on the Haleakalā summit on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Featuring a 4-m aperture and an off-axis Gregorian configuration, the DKIST will be the world’s largest solar telescope. It is designed to make high-precision measurements of fundamental astrophysical processes and produce large amounts of spectropolarimetric and imaging data. These data will support research on solar magnetism and its influence on solar wind, flares, coronal mass ejections, and solar irradiance variability. Because of its large aperture, the DKIST will be able to sense the corona’s magnetic field—a goal that has previously eluded scientists—enabling observations that will provide answers about the heating of stellar coronae and the origins of space weather and exo-weather. The telescope will cover a broad wavelength range (0.35 to 28 microns) and operate as a coronagraph at infrared (IR) wavelengths. Achieving the diffraction limit of the 4-m aperture, even at visible wavelengths, is paramount to these science goals. The DKIST’s state-of-the-art adaptive optics systems will provide diffraction-limited imaging, resolving features that are approximately 20 km in size on the Sun.

At the start of operations, five instruments will be deployed: a visible broadband imager (VTF), a visible spectropolarimeter (ViSP), a visible tunable filter (VTF), a diffraction-limited near-IR spectropolarimeter (DLNIRSP), and a cryogenic near-IR spectropolarimeter (cryo-NIRSP). At the end of 2017, the project finished its fifth year of construction and eighth year overall. Major milestones included delivery of the commissioning blank, the completed primary mirror (M1), and its cell. Commissioning and testing of the coudé rotator is complete and the installation of the coudé cleanroom is underway; likewise, commissioning of the telescope mount assembly (TMA) has also begun. Various other systems and equipment are also being installed and tested. Finally, the observatory integration, testing, and commissioning (IT&C) activities have begun, including the first coating of the M1 commissioning blank and its integration within its cell assembly. Science mirror coating and initial on-sky activities are both anticipated in 2018.

Proceedings Article | 18 August 2016 Paper

Construction status of the Daniel K. Inouye solar telescope

Joseph McMullin, Thomas Rimmele, Mark Warner, Valentin Pillet, Roberto Casini, Steve Berukoff, Simon Craig, David Elmore, Andrew Ferayorni, Bret Goodrich, Robert Hubbard, David Harrington, Steve Hegwer, Paul Jeffers, Erik Johansson, Jeff Kuhn, Haosheng Lin, Heather Marshall, Mihalis Mathioudakis, William McBride, William McVeigh, LeEllen Phelps, Wolfgang Schmidt, Steve Shimko, Stacey Sueoka, Alexandra Tritschler, Timothy Williams, Friedrich Wöger

Proceedings Volume 9906, 99061B (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235227

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Observatories, Solar processes, Telescopes, Mirrors, Optical fabrication, Buildings, Space telescopes, Control systems, Deformable mirrors

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We provide an update on the construction status of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. This 4-m diameter facility is designed to enable detection and spatial/temporal resolution of the predicted, fundamental astrophysical processes driving solar magnetism at their intrinsic scales throughout the solar atmosphere. These data will drive key research on solar magnetism and its influence on solar winds, flares, coronal mass ejections and solar irradiance variability. The facility is developed to support a broad wavelength range (0.35 to 28 microns) and will employ state-of-the-art adaptive optics systems to provide diffraction limited imaging, resolving features approximately 20 km on the Sun. At the start of operations, there will be five instruments initially deployed: Visible Broadband Imager (VBI; National Solar Observatory), Visible SpectroPolarimeter (ViSP; NCAR High Altitude Observatory), Visible Tunable Filter (VTF (a Fabry-Perot tunable spectropolarimeter); Kiepenheuer Institute for Solarphysics), Diffraction Limited NIR Spectropolarimeter (DL-NIRSP; University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy) and the Cryogenic NIR Spectropolarimeter (Cryo-NIRSP; University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy).

As of mid-2016, the project construction is in its 4th year of site construction and 7th year overall. Major milestones in the off-site development include the conclusion of the polishing of the M1 mirror by University of Arizona, College of Optical Sciences, the delivery of the Top End Optical Assembly (L3), the acceptance of the Deformable Mirror System (Xinetics); all optical systems have been contracted and are either accepted or in fabrication. The Enclosure and Telescope Mount Assembly passed through their factory acceptance in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The enclosure site construction is currently concluding while the Telescope Mount Assembly site erection is underway. The facility buildings (Utility and Support and Operations) have been completed with ongoing work on the thermal systems to support the challenging imaging requirements needed for the solar research.

Finally, we present the construction phase performance (schedule, budget) with projections for the start of early operations.

Proceedings Article | 8 August 2016 Paper

Project management and control of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

Joseph McMullin, William McVeigh, Mark Warner, Thomas Rimmele, Simon Craig, Andrew Ferayorni, Bret Goodrich, Robert Hubbard, Rex Hunter, Paul Jeffers, Erik Johansson, Heather Marshall, William McBride, LeEllen Phelps, Steve Shimko, Alexandra Tritschler, Timothy Williams, Friedrich Wöger

Proceedings Volume 9911, 99110K (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235225

KEYWORDS: Solar telescopes, Systems engineering, Observatories, Content addressable memory, Chromium, Control systems, Neodymium, Databases, Phase modulation, Process control

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2014 Paper

DKIST enclosure modeling and verification during factory assembly and testing

Ibon Larrakoetxea, William McBride, Heather Marshall, Gaizka Murga

Proceedings Volume 9150, 91501S (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2059083

KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, Mathematical modeling, Systems modeling, Control systems, Chemical elements, Telescopes, Thermal modeling, Observatories, Calibration, Solar telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2014 Paper

DKIST enclosure fabrication factory assembly and testing

Gaizka Murga, Heather Marshall, Thomas Lorentz, Javier Ariño, Pedro Ampuero

Proceedings Volume 9145, 914527 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055320

KEYWORDS: Control systems, Camera shutters, Cladding, Observatories, Solar telescopes, Sun, Telescopes, Assembly tolerances, Fourier transforms, Optical tracking

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Proceedings Article | 25 September 2012 Paper

Transitioning from conceptual design to construction performance specification

Paul Jeffers, Mark Warner, Simon Craig, Robert Hubbard, Heather Marshall

Proceedings Volume 8449, 84490B (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924501

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interfaces, Computer aided design, Optical instrument design, Observatories, Astronomy, 3D modeling, Systems engineering, Infrared telescopes, Electronics

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Proceedings Article | 17 September 2012 Paper

ATST Enclosure final design and construction plans

Gaizka Murga, Heather Marshall, Javier Ariño, Tom Lorentz

Proceedings Volume 8444, 844408 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925987

KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, Telescopes, Cladding, Solar telescopes, Observatories, Sun, Astronomy, Bridges, Space telescopes, Skin

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Proceedings Article | 10 November 2011 Paper

ATST enclosure mechanical and thermal models

Gaizka Murga, Heather Marshall, LeEllen Phelps, Ana Hervás, Ibon Larracoechea

Proceedings Volume 8336, 83360K (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915575

KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, Solar radiation models, Telescopes, Thermal modeling, Control systems, Systems modeling, Solar telescopes, Observatories, Sun, Skin

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Proceedings Article | 11 August 2010 Paper

Design and construction of the Discovery Channel Telescope enclosure

Heather Marshall, Jose Teran, Kevin Bond

Proceedings Volume 7733, 77335C (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856465

KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, Telescopes, Bridges, Control systems, Domes, Optical instrument design, Observatories, Aluminum, Vacuum fluorescent displays, Switches

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Proceedings Article | 6 August 2010 Paper

The Discovery Channel Telescope optical coating system

Heather Marshall, Gary Ash, William Parsley

Proceedings Volume 7733, 773355 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856467

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Coating, Aluminum, Telescopes, Optical coatings, Reflectivity, Space telescopes, Observatories, Optical instrument design, Optical fabrication

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Proceedings Article | 28 July 2010 Paper

The Advanced Technology Solar Telescope: beginning construction of the world's largest solar telescope

T. R. Rimmele, J. Wagner, S. Keil, D. Elmore, R. Hubbard, E. Hansen, M. Warner, P. Jeffers, L. Phelps, H. Marshall, B. Goodrich, K. Richards, S. Hegwer, R. Kneale, J. Ditsler

Proceedings Volume 7733, 77330G (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857714

KEYWORDS: Control systems, Telescopes, Adaptive optics, Wavefronts, Solar processes, Solar telescopes, Mirrors, Cameras, Interfaces, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 27 June 2006 Paper

Discovery Channel Telescope: progress and status

B. Smith, T. Bida, R. Millis, E. Dunham, O. Wiecha, H. Marshall

Proceedings Volume 6267, 626705 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672500

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Mirrors, Space telescopes, Buildings, Optical instrument design, Cameras, Control systems, Observatories, Imaging spectroscopy, Aerospace engineering

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