Re: Re[4]: [ATM] Use of bearings in (static) mirror cells

["David Harbour" <scarab2@cox.net>]

Vladimir, all:

How did the American genius Ritchey support his FULL THICKNESS 60" mirror,
for the telescope that revolutionized astronomy? It can be found in the
files section, I am sure, of the atm list. I submitted some illustrations of
Ritchey's work a long time ago; I don't remember if I contributed a clear
image (I don't have one that is clear) of the mirror cell of the 60", but
the 60" telescope ELECTRIFIED the world of astronomy, led to the 100".

How much more can one improve on the wheel? Ritchey used a system of
floatation called "astatic levering". It is not much different from the
classic method employed by Stevenson (18 pads, located on two radii). I do
not remember whether he used small contact points or bearings; but his
telescope sure created a sensation. His results from the use of it were
BANNED FROM PUBLICATION IN THIS COUNTRY by Hale and Adams (Osterbrock:
"Ritchey, Hale and Big American Telescopes". I may be mistaken on the title;
I believe the Arizona State University Press published the book- or, the
University of Arizona Press). Point is, why do we need to keep re-inventing
the wheel? He kept a huge (and then huger) mirror from moving,
unacceptablly, and he published a diagram of his "astatic levering system"
in his 1907 treatise on the 60", with, probably, a full description. No
defects in his imagas of M-32 and M-33. Just banned from publication in the
U.S., by Hale, who hated him. Hale threatened McMillan with being
blackballed all over the U.S. if they published any of his books. McMillan
had a virtually monopoly on astronomy texts at the time. They knuckelled
under to the threat by the big man Hale- (Hale, whose father was rich-
Ritchey only owned only a little citrus ranch in California, in Azusa)  was
a philanderer, according to Daniel Osterbrock). Look up Osterbrock; a real
astronomer.

Dave

P.S. I have some great images from Dr. Osterbrock's book, of Ritchey's
projected giant reflectors of the future. My favorite is the six metre fork
mounted scope, with a curious observor's "following platform" mounted on the
observor's floor; the idea that one might weld an observor's cage on the
Cass. focus end of the telescope never occurred to Ritchey, bright as he
was! Askl for them if you want them (the Gif's of the six meter).



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vladimir Galogaza" <vladimir.galogaza@zg.htnet.hr>
To: "ATM List" <atm@atmlist.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 12:02 PM
Subject: Re: Re[4]: [ATM] Use of bearings in (static) mirror cells


> >F=a+kV
> >and that constitutes a linear function by all math definitions.
>
> Not if k=k(V) as anticipated in Don's post
>
> Vladimir.
>
>
>
>
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