Hubble Optics Lightweight Sandwich Mirror
Our innovative lightweight sandwich mirrors represent a groundbreaking advancement in astronomical observation technology, offering an unparalleled combination of efficiency, performance, and value. Renowned for their lightweight design and superior optical quality, these mirrors have been embraced by prestigious organizations worldwide, including NASA, SpaceX, the US Army, Princeton University, and California State Polytechnic University, among others.
Inspired by the design principles of the Hubble Space Telescope—the epitome of advanced telescopic engineering—our sandwich mirrors set a new standard in the industry. Available in sizes ranging from 12” to 40" in diameter, they are meticulously crafted to ensure optimal performance under varying observational conditions.
Features of the Sandwich Mirror
Thermally Optimized
Our mirrors feature an open core for thermal optimization and a closed back for dynamic stability, ensuring rapid thermal response. They cool down approximately ten times faster than solid mirrors of equivalent thickness, significantly reducing thermal lag and minimizing image distortion caused by temperature gradients.
Exceptional Image Quality
In real-world observations, our lightweight sandwich mirrors surpass both conventional solid and closed-cell lightweight mirrors in image quality, thanks to their rapid equilibrium with ambient air temperatures.
Innovative Design
With a simple flotation mounting system, our mirrors are designed to be both lighter (approximately 20% weight savings) and more cost-effective than traditional solid mirrors, without compromising on performance. This remarkable price/performance ratio makes our mirrors an unbeatable choice for both amateur astronomers and professional institutions.
Drastically Reduced "Mirror Seeing" Effects
The primary challenge in telescope mirror design is not the deformation-induced aberrations but the layer of warm air in front of the primary mirror, which causes "mirror seeing." Our mirrors are engineered to quickly reach thermal equilibrium with the surrounding air, dramatically reducing image distortion due to non-uniform refraction.
Simplified Cooling Requirements
Unlike traditional designs that require complex cooling systems to manage thermal conditions, our lightweight sandwich mirrors achieve thermal equilibrium rapidly without the need for active cooling systems. This eliminates issues related to micro-vibrations, further enhancing image quality.
Why Choose Our Lightweight Sandwich Mirror??
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the meticulous production process. Each mirror undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our high standards for thermal performance and optical quality. By focusing on reducing the thermal time lag and achieving a close thermal match with ambient air temperatures, we ensure that what is measured in the laboratory translates directly to superior performance in the field.
Our mirrors are not just instruments; they are gateways to exploring the cosmos with unmatched clarity and precision. Join the ranks of the world's leading astronomers and discover the universe through our revolutionary lightweight sandwich mirrors.
Hubble Optics 40" f/3.3 sandwich mirror was in operation on September 3, 2023 (picture taken by Steve Pattie)
A spectacular vision of cosmic creation, this image showcases the Orion Nebula's vibrant heart, where stars are birthed in a celestial dance. Captured through a meticulous stitch of three full-size frames with the Hubble Optics HNA18 hyperbolic optics, the precision of the full-frame sensor astounds, retaining the stellar clarity to the very edges of the frame. Jonathan Rogers marvels, 'Still amazed using a full-frame sensor, stars are still sharp out to the corners.' A testament to the beauty and wonder of the universe, taken in Jan 2024 by Jonathan Rogers.
Hubble 40" f/3.3 sandwich mirror in action at the Leon Mow Dark Sky Site near Heathcote, Melbourne
“It’s been 6 months now since we had first light on what is Australia’s largest privately owned telescope. Situated at the ASV’s Leon Mow Dark-Sky Site in a roll off roof observatory, 2 hours north of Melbourne, the views continue to get better and better since we have learned to manage temperature of the interior of the observatory prior to using the telescope. There are a lot of objects which have been transformed for me with this aperture, but the stand-out one to date has to be glimpsing the globular cluster in NGC253 which forms a loose triangle with the two bright 9th magnitude stars south of the galaxy core. Thanks Hubble Optics for the chance to experience the views that I and the ASV have seen and will see in the future".
-Steve Pattie, June, 2019
20" f/4 Bino Scope made by Kunho Lee and his friend
16" f/4 Strock Style Travel Scope made by Cyrille Thieullet
Images taken with 16" f/5 Hubble Sandwich Mirrors by Emanuele De Giorgio
Images taken with UL16 f/4.5 by Damien Kilmartin
Prices
| OD | Thickness(mm) | Price(Plate glass) | Price(Pyrex glass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" (f/5) | ~24 | $850 | $1,800 |
| 14" (f/5) | ~39 | $1,200 | $2,350 |
| 16" (f/5) | ~42 | $1,650 | $3,050 |
| 18" (f/4.5) | ~47 | $2,100 | $3,700 |
| 20" (f/4.2) | ~49 | $3,050 | $5,500 |
| 20" (f/3.7) | ~49 | $3,500 | $6,175 |
| 24" (f/4.2) | ~58 | $5,950 | $9,950 |
| 24" (f/3.3) | ~58 | $7,550 | $11,550 |
| 25"/26" (f/3.3) | ~58 | $9,680 | $13,550 |
| 28"-40" | Contact Us |
Strehl Ratio >= 0.95
For faster mirrors, there is 15% surcharge for each 1/2 stop of the speed.
The above prices include the standard Al + SiO2 overcoating.
The 92% Semi-enhacned, 96% Enhanced Aluminum and 97% Protected Silver coatings are available with additional charges:
| Diameter | Semi-enhanced Coating | Enhanced Coating |
|---|---|---|
| 8" | $90 | $290 |
| 10" | $100 | $290 |
| 12" | $110 | $295 |
| 12.5" | $115 | $315 |
| 14" | $125 | $340 |
| 16" | $180 | $360 |
| 18" | $220 | $380 |
| 20" | $260 | $400 |
| 24" | $350 | $520 |
| 28" | $480 | $720 |
| 32" | $650 | $975 |
| 36" | $900 | $1350 |
| 40" | $1200 | $1800 |
Stocked Mirrors Sale
All our stocked mirrors are the same high quality mirrors as our standard mirrors (1/10 or better in PV, about 1/50 in RMS, and 0.95 or better in Strehl ratio, with the 96% enhanced aluminum coating free of extra charge).
The shipping will normally take about 10-15 business days for most countries.
| Optical Diameter, F/# | THK(mm) | WT(kg) | Reg.(US$) | Sales(US$) | Price with shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12"(304.8mm) f/3.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~41 | ~5.8 | $1,450 | ||
| 12"(304.8mm) f/3.5 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~41 | ~5.8 | $1,230 | ||
| 12"(304.8mm) f/4.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~41 | 5.8 | $1,105 | ||
| 12"(304.8mm) f/4.5 Plate Glass Thin Solid Non Sandwich Mirror | ~24 | ~4 | $975 | ||
| 12"(304.8mm) f/5.0 Plate Glass Thin Solid Non Sandwich Mirror | ~24 | ~4 | $850 | ||
| 14"(355.6mm) f/3.5 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~39 | ~7.8 | $1,740 | ||
| 14"(355.6mm) f/4.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~39 | ~7.8 | $1,560 | ||
| 14"(355.6mm) f/4.6 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~39 | ~7.8 | $1,300 | ||
| 14"(355.6mm) f/5.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~39 | ~7.8 | $1,200 | ||
| 16" (406.4mm) f/4.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~42 | ~10.5 | $2,185 | ||
| 16" f/4.5(406.4mm) Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~42 | ~10.5 | $1,900 | ||
| 16" f/5.0(406.4mm) Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~42 | ~10.5 | $1,650 | ||
| 18"(457.2mm) f/3.5 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~42 | ~14.5 | $2,750 | ||
| 18"(457.2mm) f/4.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~42 | ~14.5 | $2,415 | ||
| 18"(457.2mm) f/4.2 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~47 | ~14.5 | $2,200 | ||
| 18" (457.2mm) f/4.5 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~47 | ~14.5 | $2,100 | ||
| 20" (508mm) f/3.3 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~49 | ~17 | $3,920 | ||
| 20" (508mm) f/3.7 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~49 | ~17 | $3,500 | ||
| 20" (508mm) f/4.0 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~49 | ~17 | $3,230 | ||
| 20" (508mm) f/4.2 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~49 | ~17 | $3,050 | ||
| 24" (609.6mm) f/3.3 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~57 | ~32 | $7,550 | ||
| 32" (812.8mm) f/3.3 Plate Glass Sandwich Mirror | ~70 | ~55 | $19,950 (shipping is not included) |