Sandwich Mirrors - HubbleOptics

Just came across this company today: www.hubble-optics.com/index.html Anyone ever heard of them? Make quite an unusual design of mirror. Apparently helps reduce cooling times significatly. They have a post with further details on CloudyNights here: www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.../fpart/1#Post1664659 and an ebay store here: stores.ebay.com/hubbleoptics Certainly is interesting.

I had a quick look, I didn't go through all their literature but there has to be a catch somewhere.
Usually, thermally fast = lightweight mirrors = thin mirrors = distortion = bad images.
So is this one alot more expensive then a "normal" mirror of a similar aperture ?

If it was just one thin sheet of glass, then of course it would deform much more than one thick sheet of glass. However, these mirrors are quite different. It's got two layers to it with columns of glass linking the two, giving it rigidity. They guarantee a Strehl ratio >= 0.95, which isn't bad at all and have just lodged patents for the design. They have a 16" mirror going for a reasonable price on their ebay store. I've sent them a message re shipping cost. Will let you know more once I know.

I've sent them a message re shipping cost. Will let you know more once I know.

First dibs on the TEC...

I've sent them a message re shipping cost. Will let you know more once I know.

First dibs on the TEC...

That baby ain't going anywhere! I've used it a few times now - a real joy to use.

That baby ain't going anywhere! I've used it a few times now - a real joy to use.

Yes, but a 16" sandwich mirror... uuummmmm