01 October 2003 |
The NST primary mirror undergoing rough grinding
(shape generation) at Kodak. |
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![NST M1 in Kodak shop.](../newtelescope/blank4.jpg) |
July 2007 |
The primary mirror in its test jig at the Steward
Observatory Mirror Lab.We also saw some of the M1
support actuators. |
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![Primary mirror test jig.](../newtelescope/M1_test_a.jpg) |
![M1 actuators.](../newtelescope/img_0208a.jpg) |
March 2008 |
The NST primary mirror undergoing figuring at the
Steward Observatory Mirror Lab.
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![NST M1 at Steward.](mirror_polishing.jpg) |
![Roy Coulter with NST M1](roy_mirror.jpg) |
June 25, 2008 |
The NST primary mirror was aluminized at
Kitt Peak in the tank built for the mirror
of the 4-meter Mayall telescope.
The mirror is moved using the special mirror handling tool,
and is thoroughly washed before going into the tank.
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![NST primary aluminizing](p036a.jpg) |
![NST primary aluminizing](p046a.jpg) |
June 25, 2008 |
The mirror is placed on the bottom of the
aluminizing tank which then slides under the top.
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![NST primary aluminizing](p065a.jpg) |
![NST primary aluminizing](p069a.jpg) |
June 25, 2008 |
The top of the tank is lowered and sealed to the bottom.
The air is pumped out and electric filaments vaporize a
small amount of aluminum onto the Zerodur surface.
Now we truly have a mirror.
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![NST primary alumnizing](p071a.jpg) |
![NST primary aluminizing](p073a.jpg) |
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![NST primary aluminizing](p075a.jpg) |
![NST primary mirror aluminizing](p094a.jpg) |
June 26, 2008 |
The NST primary mirror arrived at BBSO very late
on June 25.
The final tests of the mirror surface at the
Steward Observatory Mirror Lab indicate the
figure is within 1/20 wavelength (at 300nm) of
the specifications. The mirror weighs about
1100 pounds, not including the box.
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![NST primary arrives](dscn1402a.jpg) |
![NST primary arrives](dscn1407a.jpg) |
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![NST primary arrives](dscn1412a.jpg) |
![NST primary arrives](dscn1423a.jpg) |
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![NST primary arrives](dscn1425a.jpg) |
![NST primary arrives](dscn1426a.jpg) |
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![NST primary arrives](dscn1430a.jpg) |