[ATM] 40" mirror some ideas

[vorblesnak@peak.org]

If I had the time and money to do this I would be looking at Palomar.  
That scope was made at a time when the ATM world was leading 
the way in a lot of engineering.  Porter was an odd enigma both 
ATM and professional.  Those designs are well documented and not 
that exotic that we couldn't do another.

Coring could reduce thickness without loss of stiffness by making a 
honey comb blank.  Weight loss also.  Tool on top, machine or at 
least pseudo machine for control.  It is do able.  I would look at a 
compound design.  Think of Cassegrain or Gregorian or 
Johnsonian.  Two optical surfaces but both regular.  It probably 
won't be portable.  Could be, low boy trailer with hydraulic levellers.  
Maybe a CCD thunder machine.  All electronic with no need to climb 
a ladder.  Prime focus.

I would say, study Palomar and look into the big mirror discussions 
from the 30's and the 40's.  Old technology that got the job done.

David Davis
Toledo, OR  97391
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