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stevoggo
10-10-2009, 09:25 PM
hi all...weather still sucks...
I am sure that a while ago I found an article online about how the chinese had a new method of making very thin, (like cardboard), cheap mirrors suitable for astronomy etc.
The processing was still in its infancy but there was a real potential of large cheaper mirrors being mass produced some time in the near future.
I can no longer find the article despite my best googling and my astronomer buddy does not believe me.
has anyone else seen this article or know of anything similair.
incidently i am not talikng about liquid mirrors nor am ireally keen to get into an at length discussion on the the obvious mounting problem,s and limitations etc
All the best
Steve

Rhino1980
10-10-2009, 09:30 PM
I always thought that they would be able to use a correctly shaped carbon wafer then metalize it to make a cheap effective mirror. Imagine having affordable access to a 30 inch scope :eyepop: Plus the reduced weight (from not having glass mirrors) would lessen the need for massive mounting solutions too. It would be great to swing a 20" off my EQ-6!

mswhin63
10-10-2009, 09:31 PM
Below is an article:

http://www.bjreview.com.cn/science/txt/2009-07/13/content_206875_2.htm