In June of 1999, Mount Laguna Observatory purchased its very own re-aluminizing chamber thanks in part to the generous contributions of the MLOA and its members.  This new chamber will allow MLO to re-aluminize the surfaces of the mirrors of each of the four telescopes located at the Observatory.  Re-aluminization is an essential process that allows the telescope optics to operate at optimal performance levels.

Prior to 1999, the mirrors were sent either out of state or out of town to have the process of re-aluminization performed.   Shipping the mirrors to another location is both costly and potentially dangerous to the delicate mirrors. 

Below are a few of the images taken the last time the mirrors were re-aluminized at the Mount Wilson Observatory.

The MLO 40 inch primary mirror being prepared for re-aluminizing (Ron Angione supervises the process)

The 16 inch telescope primary mirror is removed from its protective shipping crate.

The Buller 21 inch primary mirror is cleaned with a bit of compressed air.

The mirror is then cleaned with a heavy dose of cleaning solution.

The MWO realuminizing chamber is capable holding a mirror as large as 100 inches in diameter.

The chamber is opened revealing the newly re-aluminized mirrors.

Many different mirrors are done at once.  Look at the shiny surfaces ready to collect the photons from the cosmos.

Re-aluminization can now be performed on the Observatory grounds with the new chamber purchased by the SDSU Astronomy Department and Mount Laguna Observatory Associates.  Below are a few pictures of the new chamber.

A view of the new re-aluminizing chamber with the hatch closed.

Observatory Superintendent Jay Grover inspects the interior of the chamber.

A view of the observation window on the chamber.

Ron Angione shows of the new chamber to guests at the MLOA annual picnic.  Grant Miller (MLOA President, in the white shirt) inspects the new chamber....his conclusion:  "money well spent!"