In the history of telescope making has anyone ever tried to make a ceramic mirror? If so what where the problems that made it unworkable?
Ceramic Mirror
Started by 3dart1, 07/03/2006 07:59PM
Posted 07/03/2006 07:59PM
Opening Post
Posted 07/04/2006 06:08AM
#1
John,Ever since I read this idea earlier today I've thought and thought about how it could be made to work.Ceramics are more porus than plate glass-I think, so maybe it could be coated after it's been ground to smoothness.But sometimes a piece of ceramic will crack from just drying out for long lengths of time and seems to be more fragile.I may not even know what I'm talking about,I've never made anything from ceramics.After being coated it may work just fine but with all the extra precautions it may even be more expensive,then again maybe it would'nt need too much extra done to it.Surely theres someone out there that knows a lot more about ceramics than we do,any thoughts onthe subject guys and gals? I'd kind of like to know myself.Darrell
Posted 07/05/2006 09:01PM
#3
Mirrors have been made out of all sorts of things, but one substrate not commonly in use is balsa wood, which could otherwise be ideal because of its weight. I'm not even sure how one should go about aluminizing it (after final polishing- how 'bout a nice wax finish to fill in the pores).
Jess Tauber
Jess Tauber
Funding Member
