Regular CADSAS news, events and astronomy information

The primary mirror was re-aluminised and overcoated for protection, several weeks ago. Since then, it's been carefully stored, allowing the coatings to harden, while we worked on the rest of the telescope.

At last, work on the main telescope structure had progressed sufficiently for us to refit the primary mirror.

Firstly, we cleaned and prepared the mirror cell. As can be seen in the image here, the cell has 18 support points, arranged on 6 "floating" triangular pads.

Then we carefully (very carefully!) lowered the newly coated mirror into its cell.

If we do it again, it will be a lot easier. We now fully understand the design of the primary mirror cell and know exactly which fastenings should be loosened, to allow easy fitment.