6" mirror needs polishing and figuring

[Star Hunter]

Hi,

I have a 6" mirror that needs polishing and figuring.

Does anyone know who I can contact to get this done?

Alternatively, does anyone know who I can contact that is a member of the Amateur Telescope Makers club of Qld as they might be able to help out. I will pay for this as it's for a school project.

Thanks,

Jim

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

I don't think the ATMQ club will be able to help you.

I was a member in the late 1970's and early 1980's. At it's peak it was a thriving club that had 30-40 members many of whom were polishing mirrors and constructing telescopes.

I moved from Brisbane to Canberra in 1985 but have kept in sporadic touch with some members over the years. I last attended a meeting as a visitor 5 years ago and my last contact with them was about 3 years ago.

At that meeting in 2010, there were only a handful of ATMQ club members left. They meet or met once a month at Windsor State Primary School on a Friday night. I'll PM a members private phone number to you.

The proliferation of cheap chinese optics has reduced the ATM movement, at least those who used it to build a cheap instruments. Have you considered buying a 6" GSO mirror for $180? You won't re-coat it for that let alone pay someone to refigure it. GSO mirrors are available in f5 and f8.

Cheers

Joe