Re: ATM Travel Telescope Design

["William Kelley" <wekelleylwk@sedona.net>]

Mike- I agree with everything you wrote. As a "1 finger " typist it takes me
so long to reply to anything that I usually just lurk. I'm not up to writing
a new article for the atm site- so I just try to deal briefly with specific
questions. The flex program link in Nov. Sky&Tel does predict just about
anything one might want to know about what can be done with any particular
spherical mirror. BUT- some do's and don'ts about flex cells would help. I
tried to badger Gary Seronik (Sky&Tel) into hosting a web site to deal with
flex mirror stuff.
With a link to it, suggested in answer to flex questions. No luck.

    I think it is time to ask Mel , our web guru, if he thinks a flex web
site might help. Also Peter Abrahams
is closely following, and archiving, flex developments - so - Peter would
YOU consider hosting a micro-flex mirror web site? Flex matters could still
be discussed vigorously on the ATM site.  Peter, if you would do this,
I'll help get a bunch of useful dope to you for inclusion. And BTW, I just
completed , and tested a 6" F5 shaped-back mirror flexed with a simple
central bolt,, with excellent results. Time to silver it and put it in a
telescope for the toughest of all tests.


----- Original Message -----
From: mjc5 <mjc5@psu.edu>
To: <atm@shore.net>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: ATM Travel Telescope Design


>
> > >Mike- it is difficult to discuss the flex- mirror approach in such
simple
> > >terms.  I believe he specified an 8", but no F ratio. For example: an
8"
> > >F6,
> > >with a solid annulus for tension, attached at the 40% to 50% zone is
very
> > >easy to make spherical, and flex to a 1/12th wave parabola, and have
the
> > >surface smoothness that can be achieved making a sphere. I consider the
> > >construction of an appropriate cell to be easy. A distributed load ,
per
> > >Alan Adlers program, is more difficult to make, but would produce an
even
> > >better parabola. I suggest re-reading Alan's article for the additional
> > >benefits to be obtained making flex-mirror scopes. Regards- Bill
>
> Then *pleeze, pleeze, pleeze* let's discuss it in more complex terms! I
> would love to see and hear about what is being done in the flex mirror
> arena, and am having problems doing it. Most of the time, we here on the
> list are deluged with answers to questions. (a good thing) but in the
> case of the flex mirror, I keep getting referred back to the "article".
>
> Even if every question were to answered in the article, it is only
> healthy to discuss the concept here, as new questions and new answers
> pop up. This leads to an improved item. It also gets discussion of the
> flex mirror into the archives, also a healthy thing for the future. The
> material regarding flex mirrors in the archive are woeful. Mostly
> "Greatest thing since sliced bread", and "I'm Skeptical" stuff, no real
substance.
>
> Better yet, could we impose on you or another flex mirror user to
> actually write an article for the group? I have posted specific articles
> to the list regarding some processes that I thought were important to
> have, such as silvering of mirrors, under an easily searchable word or
> word string.
>
> This would stimulate conversation on the pros and cons of the method,
> and I  would be willing to wager a cup of coffee that more people would
> start building them. Successful construction and use of the flex mirror
> would be proof of the process.
>
> Something to think about. - Mike -
>
>