Re: Alternative mirror technologies, WAS ATM Liquid-mirror telescopes (fwd)

[andydtg@phoenix.net]

Re,

>> Also, I'm sure that this topic (mylar film mirrors in a vacuum) was
>> brought up not too long ago here. I think Andy Saulietis was interested
>> in them, but I can't find the thread in the archives now.

Wasn't me, I did offer some free mylar to folks who wanted to
experiment with DIY  telrads. 

Re mylar/cast/composite mirrors, to my knowledge it's now possible
to diamond turn aluminum mirrors up to about 24" dia with 1/2 wave
surface accuracy, good enough for IR work but not quite there 
for visual. The problem is the *huge* capital cost of acquiring
the interferometrically controlled turning machine, you'd have to
be able to sell 1000's of mirrors to make it profitable & the
market just isn't that big. Consider cheap PC's - without a mass
market they'd cost 10-100x what they do now.


 
Andy Saulietis / DTG Alt-Az-Fp Drive Systems
HDPE Worm Gears, Custom designs & Machine work
12617 Harriet Ln
Santa Fe, TX 77510 USA
409-925-8854 Voice/Fax
e-mail: andydtg@phoenix.net