Effects of Dust and Thermal Cycling on Telescope Mirror Performance

by Koon Meng Chua, Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA,
R. Eric Pease, Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA,
Stewart W. Johnson, Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space IV

Abstract:

In this study, 1 cm ? 1 cm square optical-grade aluminized glass mirrors were measured for maximum light reflectance and then the loss of reflectance due to the presence of different specific densities of lunar soil simulants. Reflectance was measured for wavelength ranging from 200 nm through 900 nm. The relationship of lo of reflectance and dust accumulation was determined. The effect of thermal cycling on the performance of aluminized glass mirror was studied by heating a mirror specimen to 600 K and then cooling it to about 80 K for 50 cycles. Reflectance characteristics at different wavelengths (200 nm to 900 nm) were recorded. No observable degradation of the mirror was found.

Subject Headings: Lunar materials | Dust | Thermal effects | Glass | Wavelength | Telescopes | Chemical degradation

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