Guest Turtleboy Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 (edited) When i bought my new (old) scope I was already aware that it had mirrors made by David Hinds and that they are generally regarded as being of excellent quality, but when I picked it up the original owner told me that it had a 1/10 wave mirror as opposed to most modern mass produced newts having a 1/4. I'm assuming that this is in some way beneficial but I have no idea what it means. Can anyone shed some light please? (pardon the pun) Thanks Edited February 21, 2013 by Turtleboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 It's a peak to valley ratio of the reflected wavelength of light that the mirror transmits. Here's a good link to explain it more fully: http://www.antaresoptics.com/SecEM2.html (You'd really need to have an interferogram taken to see it on paper - bit like the ones they do for some refractors). Here's a good discussion about it's practical application - started by our very own Doc http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/70608-orion-optics-110-wave-thoughts/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtleboy Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Great info. Thanks Kim. So basically as I understand it (or not, as the case may be) it means that a 1/10 mirror has greater surface accuracy and is better at focusing light than a 1/4, and everything else being equal should produce a shaper image? I don't know if a novice like me could really tell the difference at this stage but it's good to know I've got the basis of a good scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Yeah that's basically it - much sharper on planets apparently and comparable to some refractors - but I guess that depends on the standard of the refractors in the end. I've never knowingly looked through a tenth wave mirror - but they do seem popular amongst the connosieurs. Mick would be able to elaborate more I reckon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtleboy Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Good stuff. Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtleboy Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Actually what a read some were ages ago was. Most 1/10 are more like 1/5 http://www.rfroyce.com/accuracy.htm Or this http://www.telescope-optics.net/aberrations.htm Pat Yes but as I understand it that is true of all mirrors because at the focal point the measurement is half what it is on the mirrors surface. So a 1/4 mirror would actually be 1/2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Well you learn something every day, good question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Yep excellent question - made me revise something I'd forgotten for a few years lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtleboy Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Don't worry. There will be plenty more where that came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Plainly put, you have a HD mirror, compared to our mass produced one's. That's a nice bit of glass, and needs much love! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Turtleboy Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Thanks Baz. Unfortunately it's still crap at seeing through cloud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Patience my friend! When it's good it will be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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