9.21.2008
F ratio notes
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The world's largest scope (on Mt Graham, AZ) has an effective optical area of approx. 4,417 sq. feet and and collective aperture of 75 ft and consists of several components.
Just 12,654 8 inch mirrors would surpass this optical area. An 8 inch mirror has an area of approx. 0.349 sq feet. There is no need to have a concave, low f ratio mirror, since the focal length is based on a multiple of the total aperture - so mirrors used could be spherical and have almost no curvature.
Just 12,654 8 inch mirrors would surpass this optical area. An 8 inch mirror has an area of approx. 0.349 sq feet. There is no need to have a concave, low f ratio mirror, since the focal length is based on a multiple of the total aperture - so mirrors used could be spherical and have almost no curvature.
