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#1 2004-03-21 19:55:10
- ERRORIST
- Member
- From: OXFORD ALABAMA
- Registered: 2004-01-28
- Posts: 1,182
Re: Telescope mirror?
I am thinking of building a reflector telescope. Could I use the back side of a large television screen if I cut it out and then get it aluminized? Would the curvature be ok for viewing far or near objects? It would be the larger of the two mirrors.
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#2 2004-03-21 20:59:00
- SBird
- Banned
- Registered: 2004-03-10
- Posts: 490
Re: Telescope mirror?
It would depend on the television model but I'm guessing no. A television screen is designed to have a curvature that gets as flat of a screen as possible while still being able to withstand atmospheric pressure. That curvature is probably not going to be the correct one for properly focussing light. I suppose you could get lucky and have a Tv screen that would work but I think that it's unlikely.
Also, if you do try it, be careful - the inside of the TV tube is a vacuum and if you aren't careful, the tube can implode, spraying the area around it with high speed glass fragments. Also, the glass has a high lead content and often the phosphors on the inside of the tube are toxic/carcinogenic.
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#3 2004-03-22 03:41:20
Re: Telescope mirror?
LO
I'm thinking to make my own telescope too.
You'd better not even try with a tv tube, that's so thick and heavy,
very difficult to cut, has'nt the right curve, glass cannot be covered with a reflective metal film by electrolyse.
You can find websites where you will have full help to make your own telescope.
Bon courage ! 
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#4 2004-03-23 07:39:56
- GraemeSkinner
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- From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
- Registered: 2004-02-20
- Posts: 563
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Re: Telescope mirror?
It would be far cheaper and easier to buy a mirror ready to fit, or at least a mirror making kit. The majority of television screens I have seen would not make a suitable mirror for a telescope, the cost of having it cut to shape, and aluminumized would probably be more than buying a blank from a reputable source. Your best bet would be to buy a good ATM book, read it a few times and make sure you know what you want to achieve at the end of the process. Understanding how to calculate focal length, and types of mount are available should be covered in a good ATM book as well. I've seen some software somewhere for designing the optical layout of a self built scope, i'll pass the url on if I see it again.
There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--
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#5 2004-03-23 09:27:40
- GraemeSkinner
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- From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
- Registered: 2004-02-20
- Posts: 563
- Website
Re: Telescope mirror?
I have no experience in dealing with this company but I've heard their service is ok, perhaps this may be a better option for you Errorist than trying to convert your tv into a mirror.
[http://www.surplusshed.com/]Surplus Shed
There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--
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