The first radio-optical telescope

In 1958 the author proposed a double-mirror antenna for a large radio telescope to be constructed in the mm, cm and dm ranges having a main stationary sphere-shaped mirror and a small movable correcting mirror providing a wide-angle scanning with no beam distortion. A theory started to be developed along with a design project for this type of antenna with an original system of automatic control. Started in Armenia in 1960 and completed in 1963 was the construction of the first antenna of this type having the main mirror 5 m in diameter with a functioning aperture diameter of 4 m. At that time it was the world´s largest antenna for the short-wave part of the mm range. In 1985 the work was completed on mounting and installation of the whole construction and building complex of the world´s first radio-optical telescope with a large antenna having a stationary spherical main mirror of 54 m in diameter and the operating aperture diameter of 32 m. For the first time ever in telescope construction the antenna was combined with a large optical telescope. The main mirror diameter of the optical telescope is 2.6 m