Mirror Grinding & ATM Resources
Amateur Telescope Making (ATM) is a rewarding hobby. These resources help you grind your own mirror or source custom optics.
Premium Mirror Makers
- Zambuto Optical – Carl Zambuto’s hand-figured mirrors are considered among the finest in the world. Long wait times but exceptional quality. Worth every penny for serious visual observers.
- Galaxy Optics – Quality telescope mirrors and optical components.
- R.F. Royce – Premium optics and optical testing services.
- Pegasus Optics – Custom telescope mirrors.
- Lockwood Custom Optics – High-quality mirrors for discriminating observers.
Professional Facilities
- Steward Observatory Mirror Lab – University of Arizona’s world-famous facility where the largest telescope mirrors on Earth are created using spin-casting technology. Public tours available – fascinating even if you never make your own mirror!
Optical Services
- Optical Mechanics – Mirror re-coating and optical services.
- Kennedy Optics – Optical testing and certification.
Interested in grinding your own mirror? The Stellafane convention offers classes, and many local clubs have ATM groups. There’s nothing quite like observing with optics you made yourself!