Interesting, I didn't realize that they used that method with the AO-2. Unfortunately, it was only for planets - and as you mentioned - it is no longer in production. But, it sure would be fun to have one for the Mars opposition! I noticed from the Stellar Products website that the follow-on product (AO-5) will be about $50k!
-----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 10:19 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] FW: AO at the MMT Observatory
Actually, Dale, a deformable mirror star-diagonal was offered commercially several years ago....I"m not sure if it is still in production.
As I recall, it was called the "AO-2" or similar, and I think the manufacturer was something like "Stellar Products". S&T reviewed it favorably based on tests by Roger W. Sinnott.
C.
--- Dale Hooper <Dale.Hooper@sdl.usu.edu> wrote:
This is a bit long, but extremely fascinating. I wonder if we might see some trickle down of this technology into the amateur ranks in 15-20 years?