Re: Worlds Largest Mercury MirrorTelescope, almost ready.

Posted by Uncle Al on Jan 07, 2002 at 16:00
(68.5.243.16)

Re: Worlds Largest Mercury MirrorTelescope, almost ready. (Mike Kremer)

Let us not forget that elemental mercury has a substantial vapor pressure at ambient temps. Mercury also amalgamates with nearly all metals (except iron and platinum). Mercury readily permeates and diffuses through polymers as isolated atoms.

Personnel must take extreme precautions to avoid breathing the vapor. All circuitry (copper, gold, aluminum... brass, chrome, solder) must be fully isolated. It's a great mirror for the price (even if it can't be steered). The hazards of that much rapidly moving mercury surface area are abundant and quite nasty.

--
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/eotvos.htm
(Do something naughty to physics)

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