Making a Replica of Newtons Mirror

This is an example of the rare process of making a metal telescope mirror. When Newton made the first reflecting telescope in about 1672, he made the mirror of a mixture of tin, copper, arsenic and maybe some other materials (called speculum metal). For my replica I used a common alloy of aluminum, a material that was not available to Newton. I was shooting to make a simple metal mirror for a replica of his original telescope. I have made a full-sized successful telescope mirror out of glass, as have many other people. But not many people have tried to make one of metal. This little experiment was not intended to produce a high-quality mirror. But the final product is sufficient for my replica of Newtons telescope. And it emulates Newton’s original, unlike the glass or plastic mirrors in nearly every modern replica of his telescope.
Here's my little Replica of Newtons Telescope: • Model of Newtons Teles...
If you are interested in this video then you will really enjoy these videos from Astro Engineering. They made a highly accurate replica of Newtons telescope including the difficult metal mirror.
The superb replica by Astro Engineering: • Newton's first telesco...
Making the mirror for the Astro Engineering Replica: • The World's First Refl...