March 29, 2008
You're watching hot glass melt inside the rotating oven of the University of Arizona's Mirror Lab. When cooled, the glass will form the primary and tertiary mirrors of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, a unique wide-field survey telescope expected to see first light in 2014 from Cerro Pachón in Chile. The glass melted over several hours to the consistency of honey before seeping between ceramic molds. When cooled to a solid surface, the glass is ready for grinding and polishing into the proper shape for the telescope's mirrors.
They have really nailed down this technology. 20 years ago mirrors like this were impossible. Kudos LSST group!!!
winsleuth 3 years ago
And to think they got that mirror damn near perfect... For its size, that is a real feat.
jfekendall 3 years ago