Delmarva Star Gazers will host the third Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar February 28 thru March 2, 2003, in Mallard Lodge, Smyrna, DE. Mirror makers, Prominence Scope Makers, and other attendees should check into the Lodge before 11:00 AM - activities begin at Noon, February 28th.
The purpose of the Seminar is to introduce proven successful mirror grinding techniques and practices to those wishing to make their own mirrors; special emphasis will be placed on successfully figuring the mirror. All mirror grinding materials will be furnished and expert mirror makers will be available to guide the activities. We will begin with 6", 8", and 10" mirrors and tools with diamond generated curves - ready for 220 grit. Successful mirror grinders will leave the Seminar with a finely-figured mirror ready for aluminizing - and with the skills, knowledge and confidence to repeat the process as desired. Although our purpose is to make each mirror grinder successful, and indeed, each mirror grinder will have the materials, guidance, and time to produce a quality mirror, there is no guarantee of results.
Mirror grinding, polishing, figuring and testing assistance will be provided by Steve Swayze, (Swayze Optical), David Groski (Stellafane 1st Place in Optics), and several experienced mirror makers from Delmarva Star Gazers.
Mirror making: stations will be limited to 12 on a first come, first served basis. Non-mirror makers are encouraged to attend - to watch the process, to learn, to "get glass-pushin' fever", and to participate in other planned activities
Prominence Scope Making: we will provide all materials and expert guidance (by David Groski) for the construction of a prominence-viewing telescope. See article and plans on the The Spectrohelioscope Media Site. This is a proven design - participants constructed 20 of these scopes at MMM#2. David Groski's prototype scope won an award at Stellafane 2002 (see www.stellafane.com for more info). Each Prom Scope maker will leave with a functional OTA for viewing solar prominences. This activity is limited to 20 participants.
Other activities will include:
Camera hacking - see how others use inexpensive electronic cameras on their telescopes - this activity will be lead by Doug Miller, Univ of DE, and author of Star Gazer News "Moon Dark" column.
Various demonstrations -(such as making pitch laps, mirror cells, spiders, finder scope brackets, mirror test stands, foucault testers, couder masks, etc),
Swap meet - bring your treasures - the swap meet will be Saturday afternoon,
Stargazing -using the Star Gazers' Meade 10" LX200 - SBIG STV camera equipment,
other activities will be added as appropriate.
Registration:
All mirror makers and attendees are asked to register by December 15, 2002, to provide sufficient lead-time for ordering supplies. Full payment must accompany the registration. There will be no refunds but substitutions are O.K.
Fee Schedule
Attendance and lodging only
$50.00
Attendance, lodging and grind 6” mirror
$175.00
Attendance, lodging and grind 8” mirror
$225.00
Attendance, lodging and grind 10” mirror
$375.00
Attendance, lodging and Prominence Scope
$400.00
The first two MMM Seminars were very successful. See links to MMM1 and MMM2 webpages. Every participant and every person involved as a host has commented favorably on the experience. There are several "repeaters" - they have caught the fever. This third Seminar should be a wonderful late Winter-time weekend in a very interesting environment and in the company of amateur astronomers learning how to "push glass".
Come and join us - we look forward to your company.
Contact Lyle Jones, 230 N Bradford St, Dover, DE 19904, phone 302-736-9842, email lyjones@state.de.us, or visit our web site at www.delmarvastargazers.org for additional information.
