Re: ATM Lightweight Composite Mirror Developments

[Raphaël Guinamard <rguinamard@infonie.fr>]

Thanks Peter for the information.
Just one question:
Do you have any idea when this type of mirror could be available for amateur
astronomer?
5 years? 10 years? 20 years? never ?

Raphaël Guinamard
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Chen CMA <peterchen@compositemirrors.com>
To: <atm@shore.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 8:00 PM
Subject: ATM Lightweight Composite Mirror Developments


>
> For those interested, there is an article about recent developments in
> http://www.people.ku.edu/~jbyrd/
>
>    This is good news in that we are finally given the support and
resources
> to get the job done.
>
>       Incidentally, the new telescope is to be located at the Mt. Laguna
> Observatory of the San Diego State U.  MLO is located in a forest and is
> very close to one of the fires that are currently burning in southern CA.
> I am thinking that we may have to design the telescope for similar
> contingencies in the future.
>
>           Since a 1 meter composite mirror weighs less than 20 lbs, and
the
> whole OTA probably less than 60lbs, we may be able to use quick
> attach/disconnect fasteners.   That way if a fire should come nearby, we
can
> just take the scope off its mount and put it on top of a car - or backpack
> it - out of harm's way.
>
> Peter C. Chen
>
>
>