Telescope Mirror Refiguring
We can turn an average mirror into a great one. Many mass produced telescope mirrors are merely acceptable, and some are worse — here is one that was sent to us.
Refiguring is paused. We are not taking mirrors for refiguring while the shop moves to Fresno. We intend to resume during 2027; the date is not set yet. The prices below are our last published figures and are under revision.
What difference can I expect to see?
It depends on the condition your optics start out in, which is why we offer testing to begin the process. With a typical mass produced mirror the difference can be significant.
How does the service work?
Send in your mirror. On receipt we inspect and test it on our computerized test facility and generate a quantitative report on its existing condition, which we send you.
If you decide at that point that your mirror is good enough as it is, it goes back and you pay only shipping and handling. If you want it refigured, you pay only the refiguring charge.
A Mirror Certification from Optic Wave Laboratories accompanies your refigured mirror.
Which mirrors qualify for the Basic charge?
Mirrors that qualify for the Basic refiguring charge have:
- No significant edge errors, turned down or up
- No errors of asymmetry, astigmatism or trefoil
- No extreme zonal errors
- Overall correction within 2 waves of target conic
Mirrors that exceed those limits fall into the Type II category and must first be re-polished to a sphere before refiguring can begin. Defects such as chips and scratches cannot be removed without regrinding.
What specification do you refigure to?
We refigure to a minimum specification of:
- Strehl ratio of 0.950 or higher
- Peak-to-valley wavefront error goal of 1/8 wave or better
Is my mirror recoated afterwards?
On completion we re-aluminize your mirror at our in-house coating facility. The coating is charged separately and depends on which one you choose — see coatings for the options and prices.
Price schedule
Refiguring is paused until 2027. These prices apply to work booked for the restart.
Mirror refiguring
| Diameter (inches) | Basic | Type II |
|---|---|---|
| 4.25 | $444.00 | $888.00 |
| 6 | $512.00 | $1,024.00 |
| 8 | $628.00 | $1,256.00 |
| 9 | $704.00 | $1,408.00 |
| 10 | $796.00 | $1,592.00 |
| 11 | $896.00 | $1,792.00 |
| 12 | $1,012.00 | $2,024.00 |
| 12.5 | $1,076.00 | $2,152.00 |
| 13.1 | $1,156.00 | $2,312.00 |
| 14 | $1,288.00 | $2,576.00 |
| 14.25 | $1,328.00 | $2,656.00 |
| 14.5 | $1,368.00 | $2,736.00 |
| 15 | $1,448.00 | $2,896.00 |
| 16 | $1,624.00 | $3,248.00 |
| 17.5 | $1,920.00 | $3,840.00 |
| 18 | $2,024.00 | $4,048.00 |
| 20 | $2,488.00 | $4,976.00 |
- Basic applies to mirrors with no significant edge errors, no asymmetry, astigmatism or trefoil, no extreme zonal errors, and overall correction within 2 waves of target conic.
- Type II mirrors exceed those limits and must first be re-polished to a sphere.
- Defects such as chips and scratches cannot be removed without regrinding.
- Re-aluminizing is charged separately and depends on the coating chosen.
Price list effective 2026-08-13.