White Sands in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Anatomy of the Type IV (T-4) Tracking Telescope

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

1. Anatomy of the Type IV (T-4) Tracking Telescope Marker

Inscription. The T-4 tracking telescope is built around the earliest and most basic reflecting telescope design: the Newtonian telescope (see below). This design is simpler, less expensive, more compact, and provides a wider field of view than comparable lensed ("refracting") models. The instrument was fixed to a WWII surplus 90-mm gun, which was mounted to a hydraulic antiaircraft gun mount that moved the 10-ton assembly with speed and precision.

Captions
Below: The key components of the T-4's Newtonian telescope design. Unlike refracting telescopes that use lenses to bend light and magnify images, the T-4's curved mirrors reflect light.
A mid-1950s photograph of the T-4 operating atop Mule Peak. The Army installed a permanent, retractable shelter at the site in 1962 to protect the instrument when not in operation.
Center: Detail of tracker operating T-4 controls. Left: Excerpt from 1944 US Army M2 90-mm M2 anti-aircraft gun and mount technical manual.

Courtesy of WSMR Cultural Resources Program

Erected by White Sands Missile Range Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 32° 23.127′ N, 106° 28.683′ W. Marker

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is in White Sands, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It is on Wsmr P Rt 1 (New Mexico Route 213) 4 miles south of U.S. 70. The marker and various missiles are located on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Sands Missile Range NM 88002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clyde Tombaugh (1906-1997) (here, next to this marker); The Type IV (T-4) Tracking Telescope at Mule Peak (here, next to this marker); Tracking Telescopes at White Sands Missile Range (here, next to this marker); Cinetheodolite (a few steps from this marker); Hermes A1 (a few steps from this marker); Fat Man Bomb Casing (a few steps from this marker); IGOR (a few steps from this marker); MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Sands.

More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on the White Sands Missile Range, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Also see . . . Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range Museum. White Sands Missile Range Museum (Submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The front view of the Type IV (T-4) Tracking Telescope and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

2. The front view of the Type IV (T-4) Tracking Telescope and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.