Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Mario Gutierrez, Sophomore Robert Thibodeau, Emma Snow, Desiree Robinson, Lingyuan Meng, Sean Martin, Conner Beeson
Lead Presenter's Name
Mario Gutierrez
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Stephen Gillam
Abstract
High-quality parabolic mirrors, which are vital components in reflecting telescopes, are typically bulky, costly, and highly fragile. This experiment explores the feasibility of using specular Class B Mylar as an unconventional, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative. This approach could enable new telescope designs by greatly reducing weight and manufacturing expenses, while also opening options for potential adaptability. This approach involves using Mylar, a flexible, reflective style of plastic. The mylar is formed into a concave mirror by stretching a sheet over a chamber and depressurizing one side to force the sheet into the necessary curved shape. Multiple designs are being created and tested to create the curved membrane shape, all of which operate upon the same principle. By controlling the pressure applied to the sheet, the curvature of the mirror can be adjusted, therefore creating an adaptable focal ratio. This adaptability could enable real-time adjustments directly from the primary mirror, potentially enhancing the versatility of any telescope utilizing this mirror design. To evaluate each mylar mirror design, they will all have a standard 8-inch diameter with an approximate focal ratio of f/6. Each design will be placed into a custom-designed modular telescope frame with a standard polished glass mirror as a control. Performance metrics will be both qualitative and quantitative, including optical clarity and the Foucault test. This experiment could lead to new, cheaper methods of observational astronomy for amateurs and researchers alike.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Instrumentation Commons, Optics Commons, Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Commons
M.O.D.U.S. Modular Optical Design Using Specular Film
High-quality parabolic mirrors, which are vital components in reflecting telescopes, are typically bulky, costly, and highly fragile. This experiment explores the feasibility of using specular Class B Mylar as an unconventional, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative. This approach could enable new telescope designs by greatly reducing weight and manufacturing expenses, while also opening options for potential adaptability. This approach involves using Mylar, a flexible, reflective style of plastic. The mylar is formed into a concave mirror by stretching a sheet over a chamber and depressurizing one side to force the sheet into the necessary curved shape. Multiple designs are being created and tested to create the curved membrane shape, all of which operate upon the same principle. By controlling the pressure applied to the sheet, the curvature of the mirror can be adjusted, therefore creating an adaptable focal ratio. This adaptability could enable real-time adjustments directly from the primary mirror, potentially enhancing the versatility of any telescope utilizing this mirror design. To evaluate each mylar mirror design, they will all have a standard 8-inch diameter with an approximate focal ratio of f/6. Each design will be placed into a custom-designed modular telescope frame with a standard polished glass mirror as a control. Performance metrics will be both qualitative and quantitative, including optical clarity and the Foucault test. This experiment could lead to new, cheaper methods of observational astronomy for amateurs and researchers alike.