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Posted by Robert May on August 24, 2001 05:02:19 UTC

You might as well start becoming a ATMer at this point. The first thing you will want to do is make a corrector. The Schmidt Corrector is a decently easy project although it has a lot of strangeness about it as far as grinding and polishing.
The ATM bookset has several articles on making Corrector plates (a Mak corrector would be very expensive for that size of primary) and, while the technical expertise is that of the 1930s, it is still quite understandable and possible to build a corrector from ordinary plate glass which is a lot cheaper than optical glass is.
Try that project first (you'll be building some of the necessary test equipment as you move along) and see if it works for you. GotGrit.com will have the necessary grits and you can probably start quite well at the 25 micron grit stage after you build your vacuum pan.
Having a telescope of at least 8" size to provide a flat wavefront for testing is always nice and you can make a basic parabolic surface first if you so desire so that you have that good source of light. The testing parts of the ATM bookset will provide the insights to this procedure.
The ATM bookset is available used at various places and Willmann-Bell had the new upgraded/organized set for a decent price. Get all 3 books as you will find a need for all of them!

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