20130084049 | POSITIONING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a method and system for fibre positioning in wide-field astronomy. In one form the method and system of the present invention relate to anchoring fibre end points adjacent or against the field plate of a telescope. In one embodiment the positioning system for anchoring a fibre end point at a location on a telescope field plate collocated with a telescope focal plane, the positioning system comprising a piezoelectric positioning device for positioning the fibre end point, the positioning device comprising a chamber having an opening, the opening lying against the field plate in use defining a substantially enclosed volume inside the chamber, a pump for reducing pressure inside the enclosed volume; and a path connecting the pump and the enclosed volume so that, in use, the pump effects a reduction in pressure in the chamber thereby anchoring the fibre end point on the field plate. | 04-04-2013 |