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The primary mirrors are aluminum plates with a gold vinyl film. The overall shape of the primary mirror is parabolic using risers under the mirrors to enable the light-gathering ability of the reflective telescope. The primary mirrors are glued on the mirror mounts using permanent epoxy which is sturdy and reliable in the long run. The acrylic plate is connected to the center plate and the aluminum extrusions using fasteners.
The mirror finish and the quality of the reflection are top-notch. The primary mirrors gather light and reflect light onto the secondary mirror, which is then reflected into the center.Â
The gantry consists of 3 steel tubes that connect the secondary mirror holder to aluminum extrusions to ensure stability. The gantry mimics the real James Webb Telescope with the 3 legs structure. The tubes are connected using metallic wires to provide tension.
The gantry has been a reliable component of the overall replica and provides aesthetics similar to the JWST.
The secondary mirror serves a critical purpose in the project. Light is gathered with primary mirrors onto the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror is parabolic, machined with CNC, and is polished to a high degree to reflect light with minimal loss of intensity back to the center of the primary mirrors. The radius of curvature is calculated with a accurate model in solidworks and vector calculus to achieve an accurate angle of reflection.
Overview of the parts in the James Webb Telescope Replica
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