Hyperbolic Mirrors for Deep Space Observation

Optical Surfaces Ltd. is a leading international manufacturer of hyperbolic mirrors for deep space observation telescopes and earth observation satellites.

A hyperbolic mirror is the optical component of choice for precisely and accurately focusing light in a telescope from one focal point to the other focal point.

Hyperbolic mirrors are used in a telescope design to correct certain distortions caused by an extremely fast f-ratio design. A hyperbolic secondary mirror is used in Cassegrain telescopes to correct the spherical aberration caused by shorter focal length (smaller f/ratio) of the parabolic primary. In addition, in some more extreme low f/ratio (~f/3) applications served by Ritchey-Chretien telescopes, both primary and secondary are hyperbolic. For large deep space research telescopes, hyperbolic mirrors that correct fast optics are almost always necessary.