Tweedledee Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 This new "metalens" technology is in its infancy at the moment, but could be of use for astronomy in the future. Imagine a cheap, lightweight, thin 12" (or larger) apo objective ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36438686 Smithysteve, +Graham and Werisit 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werisit Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Being a frac nut I can't wait! A 12" frac in my back yard!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Well, that is amazing Pete! it looks quite possible that very large lenses could be made that are cheap and have no chromatic aberration! Present day apochromats will become redundant if they get this stuff right! Bring it on! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 We live in exciting times with all sorts of emerging technologies. The links at the bottom of that website also make fascinating reading, metamaterials with variable and even programmable mechanical properties and invisibility cloaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I'm already imaging a 20" dob made with this stuff.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 14 hours ago, Brantuk said: I'm already imaging a 20" dob made with this stuff.... Forget dobs, just get a nice simple lightweight carbon fibre 20" F3 apo. It'll probably fit nicely on an EQ5 and tripod. Brantuk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 It's getting nearer. http://www.sciencealert.com/single-metalens-brings-all-rainbow-colours-into-single-point-focus Tweedledee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 58 minutes ago, tuckstar said: It's getting nearer. http://www.sciencealert.com/single-metalens-brings-all-rainbow-colours-into-single-point-focus Brilliant stuff. I think Sunny Phil is after a lightweight 999mm APO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) Wow, the thickness of a human hair, around 0.005" thick, that is amazing. Edited January 4, 2018 by BAZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) Interesting developments. But some way to go i think before we can dust of the champagne... The width of a human hair is around half that Martyn : approx 0.00275" or to keep it easier (for me) 0.07mm Now look at how tiny the size of the wavelength of visible light is 0.0005mm Last year i had a couple of visits to Orion Optics. They can routinely produce optics with a much much higher surface accuracy than that 0.000031mm which equates to around 2000 times finer that the width of a human hair. Fascinating stuff but what does it all mean to me, the average UK 50 year old night sky enthusiast ?? With dodgy 50 year old eyesight ? I don't think it matters how good my optics are, whether they are 1/4 wave, 1/10th wave or even 1/50 wave. Theres too many other variables as we all know, that spoil my views on a reoccurring basis. But anyway........sign me up for a 12" f3 refractor. Just as long as it will go on my mount Edited January 5, 2018 by Bino-viewer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 58 minutes ago, Bino-viewer said: The width of a human hair Think they are referring to the actual width of the lens itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 That was 2mm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Think you are looking at the first article from 2016? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Arr yes, i see it now. Its an interesting development for sure ; don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to knock it. But i'm not sure i understand how this technology is better than a mirror for visual astronomy purposes though ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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