Orion Optics UK primary - 400/1600mm - f/4 - 1/6 Lambda

Parabolic primary mirrors for Newtonian telescopes - from ORION UK

Newtonian mirrors from ORION Optics UK are among the best mirrors on the market. The English telescope manufacturer is able to produce telescope mirrors up to 60cm aperture by using state-of-the-art grinding machines.

Mirror Accuracy OrionUK guarantees certain values for each of the three quality grades in which the mirrors are offered, which are achieved at least in each case:

"Professional Grade": 1/6 Lambda PV, Strehl > 0.95

"Research Grade": 1/8 Lambda PV, Strehl > 0.96

"Ultra Grade": 1/10 lambda PV, Strehl > 0.98

This accuracy is proven in each case with a zygo test report with a graphic representation of the mirror surface and, of course, the listing of the measured values.

The result is mirrors with very high accuracy, which provide excellent contrast for deep sky observation and photography. At planets the theoretically possible resolution is reached and usually only limited by the earth´s atmosphere.

The 97% HILUX mirroring is a real highlight. You gain about 1" aperture, so to speak, in terms of light gathering power. Normal mirrors only have about 90% mirroring. 10% of the incident light is lost. With ORION mirrors, only 3% of the light is lost. The image is noticeably brighter and the exposure times for astrophotography are shorter.

The mirror substrate comes from SCHOTT. "Low Expansion SUPRAX" is characterised by a low expansion value and by high material rigidity. For this reason, the mirrors can be made in a thin design with high accuracy. These mirrors are also a good basis for the construction of high-quality lightweight Newtonian telescopes.

Faster cooling The good expansion value of SUPRAX and especially the thin construction of the mirrors allow a fast cooling down, which is up to 50% less than the cooling down time of normal telescope mirrors. The result is faster readiness for observation and photography.