Free Astronomy Talk: Dr Andrew Rakich, Saturday 27 July

One of the world’s leading astronomers, Dr Andrew Rakich, will give a talk at Waitohi Library.

Dr Andrew Rakich is a leading optical specialist with international expertise in optical design, metrology, tolerancing, aberration theory, and alignment of world’s large astronomical telescopes and subsystems. He has led the alignment of EOS Space Systems, Large Binocular Telescope Observatory, European Southern Observatory and the Giant Magellan Telescope Observatory.

Dr Rakich is the technical leader of a multi-institutional effort to incorporate new technologies of multiple-fibre ADM (add-drop multiplexer) interferometers into the alignment of the world’s largest telescopes. Dr Rakich is the first in the world to have solved the difficulty of aligning visible and infra-red telescopes with lazer tracking network, for example leading the alignment of the Giant Magellan Telescope.

Dr Andrew Rakich is the author of the book Optical Alignment Theory and Practical Technics and is the first author of numerous scientific publications. He worked for many of the world’s largest astronomical research institutions. He is a senior member of SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics) and had won several SPIE awards.

Dr Rakich returned to his home in New Zealand, and now is a sought-after optics consultant at Mersenne Optical Consulting and is the Chief Technical Officer in Kiwistar Optics, both working with international observatories. He continues to provide leadership in telescope design and analysis, precision alignment, optical fabrication and metrology for the world.

Don’t miss the opportunity for a fascinating talk and meet the bright kiwi star, Dr Andrew Rakich.