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College of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Department of Astronomy

LBT Primary Mirror
Aluminization System

First Primary Mirror Coated!

2005 April 28

Pictures and video from the successful aluminization of the LBT first primary mirror on 2005 April 27.

Pictures

These photos were taken by Dan Pappalardo on 2005 April 28 after the bell jar lid was removed to reveal the nice, shiny Aluminum coating they made on the LBT Primary Mirror #1.

Click on the smaller image to see the full-resolution image.

Mirror 1 with Aluminum
View of Mirror 1 freshly coated with aluminum, reflecting the overhead crane (distorted by the curved surface of the mirror).

Mirror 1 with Aluminum
Another view of Mirror 1

Mirror 1 with Aluminum
Dave Sakacs and Jon Rousseau at top.

Mirror 1 with Aluminum
Folded Gregorian mounting rings reflected in the primary.

Aluminization Video

32Mb MPEG Movie
The video was taken through the window in the bell jar during the aluminization "shot". You can watch the mirror go from bare glass to a shiny surface, seeing the apparatus on the inside of the bell jar steadily appear in reflection as the aluminum layer forms. The clip lasts about 3 minutes.
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Updated: 2005 May 11 [rwp]