When should you recoat a telescope mirror?
All telescopes have to recoat their mirrors every few years. Most telescopes coat their mirrors with a very thin layer of aluminum. The exceptions are the Gemini Telescopes, which recently coated their mirrors with silver.
How are telescope mirrors coated?
Aluminum coating is done by Aluminum Coating in a high vacuum tank. Aluminum metal is evaporated from a wire near the bottom of the tank and coats the mirror which is being rotated at the top of the tank. A very thin SiO transparent coating is coated over the aluminum coating. The mirror never becomes hot.
Can mirrors be recoated?
Steve says: “In general, more modern mirrors will very rarely require re-coating but so much depends on how they have been looked after, and there is certainly no standard length of time you should adhere to. It is not at all uncommon for coatings to last 30 years or more.
What is aluminized mirror?
One of the most important “secret rituals” of an astronomical observatory is the aluminising of the telescope’s mirror. First, they strip off the old reflective coating, then prepare and polish the glass surface, and finally secure the mirror inside the large vacuum chamber metal tank for aluminising.
How long do telescope coatings last?
With regular use the older coatings typically last about 10 years, while the newer enhanced coatings may last more like 20. But there are many variables that come into play.
How long do telescope mirrors last?
An aluminum-coated mirror lasts about three to five years before it needs recoating, a process that puts the telescope temporarily out of action.
Can you repair mirror silvering?
Typically, a mirror is made by coating a thin layer of aluminum or silver on the back of a piece of smooth glass. If a mirror has small cracks or scratches, it can be repaired. Small cracks can be cured with a glass repair kit. A resilvering spray will help cover black spots caused by desilvering.
How much does it cost to have a mirror Resilvered?
Repair or Resilver a Mirror Calculator
| National Average | $218 |
|---|---|
| Typical Range | $107 – $348 |
| Low End – High End | $49 – $515 |
Which metal coating is used in the mirror?
Silvering is the chemical process of coating a non-conductive substrate such as glass with a reflective substance, to produce a mirror. While the metal is often silver, the term is used for the application of any reflective metal.
What are mirror coatings?
Mirror coatings are applied to lenses by a vacuum application of interference layers made of powdered oxides, metals, lacquered plastics or other available compounds. Mirror coatings are composed of constructive interference layers that interfere with light passing through the lens by reflecting light.
Why choose opoptic Wave labs for mirror coating?
Optic Wave Labs offers the services of its in-house coating facility to the public. We provide standard aluminum, semi-enhanced aluminum, enhanced aluminum, gold and silver coatings. Our automated deposition system can accommodate telescope mirrors up to 22 inches in diameter. We coat new mirrors as well as re-coat your existing mirror.
What are the best coatings for telescope mirrors?
These ultra-hard coatings are perfectly suited for the harsh environment that is indicative of telescope mirrors. We offer many types of coatings including protected aluminum and enhanced aluminum.
What is the coating process for telescope optics?
The coating process for telescope optics involves the use of metal monoxide compounds as starting materials. The two most common for telescope optics are silicon monoxide (SiO) and titanium monoxide (TiO).
Why choose Galaxy Optics for your arc coating needs?
Galaxy Optics has fabricated and coated thousands of mirrors. When you choose us for your optical coating needs you can be sure you are getting the absolute best. ARC is a trademark of Galaxy Optics and is an acronym for “Activated Reactive Coating”. The ARC process operates on the same principals as IAD or “Ion Assisted Deposition”.