HET Mirror and VIRUS Structure (front view)

McDonald_Observatory-391.jpg

McDonald_Observatory-391.jpg

This interior view of the dome of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope reveals its segmented mirror, the dome opening, and the open louvers (visible at left center) that look like blinds which encircle the structure. The black structure (visible at right center) is one of two "saddlebags" that ride along with the telescope as it moves. Each will carry multitple spectrographs that together make up the instrument known as VIRUS. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography