Astromart

October 12, 2004 02:20 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Who can generate a curve on a pyrex blank?

Kwang,
Newport Glassworks sells pyrex blanks with pre-generated curves at reasonable cost. You might inquire about the possibilty of generating a curve in your blank.

April 20, 2010 01:24 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Re: Aluminizing BIG mirrors

Posted By Rod Kaufman

I don't know of a lab for your purposes but I'd try contacting a university based in your state that has access to large scopes and ask for the optical technician in charge of maintaining the scopes. He or she could probably advise you...

January 1, 2012 06:38 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Edmund Scientific 12 1/2" F6 Mirror

Posted By Rod Kaufman

John,
At the f-ratio listed on your mirror, it would have to be parabolic to produce a decent image in a dob. You could send it to a couple of opticians to have it tested:
http://www.swayzeoptical.com/
or, if it needs a recoat:
http://www.nova-optical.com/Testing.htm
I'd also try a google search for an amateur astronomy club in your area. Some members may have access to testing equipment. I'd also try contacting a local university with a physics/astronomy department as they may have testing equipment.

April 1, 2013 07:12 PM Forum: Telescope Making

FIRST LIGHT dobsonian 17.5"

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Joe,
Looks like a rugged and very functional scope. Good luck under the stars with it.

April 25, 2015 10:46 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Mirror coatings

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Best bang for the buck:
http://www.nova-optical.com/Coating.htm
Also consider, although costlier, L & L:
http://llopt.com/wordpress/astronomy-services/
Finally, another company with a good reputation:
http://www.majestic-coatings.com/astronomy-telescope-coating.html

September 20, 2016 02:41 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Someone who can test mirrors near chicago or milwa

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Ed Jones is an excellent resource who will do free testing of mirrors up to 20" and he's located in Ohio, if that helps:
https://opticaleds.com/optical-testing-and-mirror-refiguring-2/
Otherwise, I'd try contacting a local university to see if their physics department has an optics lab and might be able to do it.

June 28, 2018 11:54 AM Forum: Telescope Making

10 inch F10 Refractor

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Right about now I'd be looking for an optical flat mirror to make a folded refractor...

January 2, 2020 12:00 AM Forum: Telescope Making

CPC Celestron 14

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Nice job! Hope the weather and the winds up there finally cooperate so you can use it...

January 4, 2020 11:28 PM Forum: Telescope Making

CPC Celestron 14

Posted By Rod Kaufman

Originally Posted by Keith Lawson

Thanks!

You're right! The past couple of months have not been kind to astronomy up here in the mountains. I know it's winter but the past 60 days have been very restrictive. Much more than normal. I need to get some starlight!

Had to get up early this Saturday morning around 5am and the spring constellations were well overhead, no turbulence at all. I didn't have any time to take out the scope but just seeing Canes Venacti, Corvus, Virgo and Ursa Major riding high in the sky was a real treat. It's been about a year since I've seen those constellations high in the sky. Hope you get some viewing time soon...