Re: [ATM] how good is this mirror?

[Mike Shuken <mikeshuken@value.net>]

At 08:17 AM 10/5/2005, Richard Ozer wrote:
>Excuse my tongue in cheek response, but this is a list where people not only
>make their own mirrors; but also melt their own glass and, in some extreme
>cases, gather their own sand to make the aforementioned glass.

Yes, but I would also like to add that there are a number of people who 
subscribe to this list that do not make their own mirrors but still love 
the rest of the process of telescope building.  I greatly admire all those 
here that have the ability, time and patience to create mirrors that, for 
the most part, are better than most commercially produced mirrors.  That 
being said, I would hate to see someone eager to build his own telescope 
not endeavor to do so simply because for whatever reason they didn't want 
to grind their own mirror.  I recently built my first telescope with a 
commercial mirror and had a great time doing it - the views aren't all that 
bad, either!  I did enjoy most of the building process but I think that if 
I tried to grind my own mirror it might have become so frustrating I never 
would have reached the enjoyable part (for me) of tracking down all the 
parts to create the rest of the scope.  Maybe in the future I will attempt 
to grind my own mirror, but for now I like my commercial mirror - however I 
admittedly follow with keen interest the posts on this list detailing the 
trials and tribulations of other's mirror grinding experiences.

So anyway, Vikram, welcome to telescope building.  Don't regret your 
purchase, at least you're getting started in a great hobby... Who knows 
where it will lead you?

Mike


"Bridgeport?" said I, pointing.
"Camelot," said he.



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