Precision Astronomical Instruments
Near-Zero Thermal-Expansion Materials for Telescopes
To enhance the resolution of large astronomical telescopes, advanced technologies must be employed such as special grinding and manufacturing for the primary mirror as well as precision driving for the telescope body. For the primary mirror, a glass material must be used with the smallest amount of thermal expansion possible. Another area of focus is minimizing the drive system error to achieve the stellar image resolution required as astronomical bodies are tracked through the sky at great precision. To meet these demanding specifications, NAS 36 is an excellent choice to support the primary mirror, an amber material with a low thermal expansion.
