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Science: Space: Telescope
Magnetically Suspended Mirrors Telescope   (+2)  [vote for, against]
Optical telscope made of tiny small suspended in magnetic field.

Actuators, like elevators on rails, rise the mirrors to approximate position to form a parabola. Then, precise, computer-controlled magnetic field rotates the mirror bits sitting in vacuum bubbles (like light bulbs) precisely to form a parabola. with a focal point. A strong drone with stabilizer flies to the focal point, carrying an ocular, and a CCD camera.

A hope: 0.5 kilometer-diameter telescope.
-- Inyuki, May 13 2015

fastcodesign.com http://cdn4.twistag...bff5a2d_6549774.mp4
MIT Invents A Shapeshifting Display You Can Reach Through And Touch [Inyuki, May 13 2015]

APERATURE http://www.nasa.gov...nfigurable-elements
Some-one's been on the NASA website again... [neutrinos_shadow, May 13 2015]

If the mirrors are inside evacuated glass modules, then the light will probably be distorted passing through the glass. It can be compensated-for, of course, at the cost of making each mirror more complex.
-- Vernon, May 13 2015


[Vernon], I was just afraid of the winds, if they were suspended in magnetic field, and that's why evacuated glass modules.
-- Inyuki, May 13 2015


This might makes even more sense as a space telescope. You don't have to worry about wind in orbit. This could make the telescope expandable by dividing the mirrors into several launches. Also, if it gets hit by a piece of space debris, it might only take out a couple mirrors.

Of course it might be a lot harder to move the whole thing to avoid space debris.
-- scad mientist, May 13 2015



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