https://neil.fraser.name/news/2022/11/15/

Neil's News

+ 2023                     Webb Mirror
- 2022
    * Webb Mirror          15 November 2022
    * Backwards Debugging
    * Inglenook Shunting   The James Webb Space Telescope has an
    * Blockly at 10        iconic segmented mirror. I'd like a
    * FPS in JavaScript    similar mirror for my closet door. Whereas
    * Polybahn             the original cost $10 billion, let's make
    * Background Radiation a scaled replica for just $5.
    * Six Years
+ 2021                     [nasa-small]
+ 2020
+ 2019                     I started by designing a 1:1 template in
+ 2018                     Inkscape and printing it on A3 paper. This
+ 2017                     was used to mark out the dimensions on a
+ 2016                     piece of scrap Masonite I found in the
+ 2015                     trash. A bandsaw cut the rough outline,
+ 2014                     then a belt sander brought it to final
+ 2013                     dimensions. Banana for scale.
+ 2012
+ 2011                     [banana-sma]
+ 2010
+ 2009                     Next, the whole board is spray painted
+ 2008                     matte black. A series of pin pricks
+ 2007                     transferred from the template mark out the
+ 2006                     corners of each hexagon. Speaking of
+ 2005                     hexagons, a pack of 24 of them have
+ 2004                     arrived from China.
+ 2003
+ 2002                     [black-smal]

                           The quality of the hexagons leaves a bit
                           to be desired. They are not so much
                           'bestagons', but more like 'chinagons'.
                           Fortunately since we only need 18 of them,
                           I was able to sort though to find the best
                           specimens.

                           [chinagon-s]

                           The central hexagon was temporarily
                           placed, without exposing the sticky
                           backing. Then one by one, the surrounding
                           six had their backing peeled off and were
                           carefully pushed into position using
                           toothpicks. As long as one was gentle,
                           they were happy to slide around on the
                           wooden surface. Once all were in the right
                           positions, light pressure anchored them
                           down permanently.

                           [inner-smal]

                           With the outer ring was similarly
                           attached, it was time to affix the mirror
                           to the closet door using double-sided
                           tape. Peeling the protective plastic off
                           the front was very satisfying. I have a
                           mental image of NASA technicians in bunny
                           suits doing the same at a much larger
                           scale.

                           [door-small]

                           I'm pretty happy with this little project.
                           If one wants a bigger mirror, one could
                           model the silver mirror of the Keck
                           Observatory in Hawaii. They have one extra
                           ring, bringing the total number of
                           hexagons up to 36. Ideally one would make
                           two such mirrors, since Keck is a twinned
                           observatory

                           [close-smal]

                           Albert seems unimpressed.

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Neil Fraser: News: Webb Mirror