[ATM] easiest parabolization, thermal or ???

[Mel Bartels]

>>>
Even the heat warp, which I'm 99.999 percent sure won't work
<<<


Feels like I've been doing this experiment on a nightly basis for 50 years,
as I setup my scope in the cold night air.


>>>
I think that somehow, a lot of people in the scope making world have formed
the idea that the final figuring on a mirror was extremely hard.
<<<

Figuring can be easy.  Let me put it this way - there's little reason for it
to be hard.  The key for me is to think, "process".

My process:
1. 'observe' or measure the mirror's shape
2. 'orient' with the three radius of curvature possibilities
3. 'decide' on polishing strokes: duration, pressure, lap shape, et al.
4. 'act' by carrying out the polishing
5. repeat by observing consequences: record the results - what polishing
action resulted in what mirror shape?

I was about to say that I see amateurs have the most difficulty with steps 1
and 2.  As I think of it, I see amateurs occasionally troubled by all 5
steps.

Mel Bartels