Technology for 8-m primary mirrors

Richard G. Bingham; David D. Walker; Francisco Diego

doi:10.1117/12.19228

1 July 1990 Technology for 8-m primary mirrors

Richard G. Bingham, David D. Walker, Francisco Diego

Proceedings Volume 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19228
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

The cost of an 8-m telescope is still too high for most national observatories. Cost reductions must involve new technology for the primary mirror: its material and figuring, its mass, handling and the aluminizing plant. The present scheme addresses these problems using some features of the Keck technology, but is simplified. Consideration is given to a segmented mirror in which the segments are radially cut sectors. The sectors for an 8-m aperture will fit inside a 4-m aluminizing plant (which already exists on some sites, and in any event is cheaper than an 8-m plant). Zero-expansion material (glass-ceramic or fused silica) may be used. The model thickness is about 10 cm. The proposed method of production is to figure the whole set assembled as a single mirror. No cutting takes place after figuring.

Citation Download Citation

Richard G. Bingham, David D. Walker, and Francisco Diego "Technology for 8-m primary mirrors", Proc. SPIE 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19228

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