Saturday, November 15, 2008

Aluminizing Update # 6

The crew has finished cleaning the mirror. Just a short while ago they picked up the 17.5-ton top to the bell jar (above) and carefully lowered it around the 200-inch mirror. The mirror is safely inside and the rough pumping has begun.

All of the air must be drawn out in order to put down the new layer of aluminium on the mirror's surface. It typically takes a day or so to achieve the proper vacuum.

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