2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class
Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21

Pretty Winter

These photos by Jay Drew capture the pretty side of winter, a light snowfall at Stellafane.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Pretty Winter Sunrise at Stellafane East The sun rises behind the new domed observatory

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Pretty Winter McGregor Sunrise The sun rises in the east, with the McGregor Observatory in the foreground and an unusually light snowfall for mid-January.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Pretty Winter Afternoon Scene Taken from near the Jordan Road entrance to the Bunkhouse, the new domed observatory is at the center of this tranquil winter scene.

Ugly Winter

Winter has an ugly side too: Burst pipes and broken doors that require repair.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Ugly Winter Burst Pipes A pipe burst in bunkhouse basement, covering things with ice.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Ugly Winter Melting Ice With a hot fire in the wood stove, the slabs of ice began to melt.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Ugly Winter Broken Door Dave fixes the McGregor door while John watches. An unnamed member tried to clear ice from the doorway by whacking the door with it. The ice won!

Grinding in the Bunkhouse

Plenty of hard work grinding glass at the bottom of the hill.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Grinding in the Bunkhouse Joe's Grinding Bench Joe has made a very function grinding bench to work on.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Grinding in the Bunkhouse Chris Fine Grinds Working on a table made from a cable spool.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Grinding in the Bunkhouse Wayne & Jay Wayne talks to someone across the room while Jay updates mirror class records.

Joyce's Mirror

This 6" is nearing completion.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Joyce's Mirror Joyce & Dave Dave demonstrates a figuring stroke to Joyce. Joyce's mirror is in the final stages of figuring.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Joyce's Mirror Testing Dave tests Joyce's mirror on the double pass tester at focus. It's a 6" f/4, with a focal length of only 24".

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Joyce's Mirror Straight Ronchi Bands This is Joyce's mirror on a Ross Null Test with Ronchi Screen. The nearly straight lines indicate she is very close to a good parabola.

Polishing at the McGregor

At the top of the hill, many mirrors are being polished and figured.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Polishing at the McGregor Fran & Jim Fran works on his 16" and Jim on his 8"

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Polishing at the McGregor Jay, Dave, Samantha & Ken Dave sits on the bench he built for Samantha and talks with Ken. Jay looks somewhat startled (I can't imagine why!).

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Polishing at the McGregor Samantha, Dave & George Samantha polishes her 4" mirror and George works on his 8".

Lots of Laps!

Pictures of a few of the pitch laps waiting for their mirrors to return from testing.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Lots of Laps! Joyce's Lap Nice Diamond Pattern with lots of thinned CeO.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Lots of Laps! Samantha's 4" Lap Note the tiny bubbles in the channels and the center dot (and shadow).

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Lots of Laps! George's Lap His mirror has been on the tester a long time, and the lap is drying out.

Eileen is Done!

Eileen finished up her 8" today - Congratulations!

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Eileen is Done! Dave & Eileen Dave explains the final figuring strategy to Eileen while she presses her lap before the next figuring session.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Eileen is Done! Eileen has Finished! Eileen and her completed mirror, and "Mirror Midwife" Dave.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2007-Jan-21 Eileen is Done! A Very Happy Face! Eileen admires a Happy Face in her mirror logbook after finishing.