Theoretical Elastic Deformations of the Steward Observatory 230-cm and the Optical Sciences Center 154-cm Mirrors.

The Steward Observatory 230-cm and Optical Sciences Center 154-cm mirrors are analyzed for elastic deformation due to distributed weight and supporting forces for the mountings employed for them in the Optical Sciences Center optical shop and for several hypothetical supports. An optimization of band and point support combinations is made for each mirror, with the conclusion that the simple band is accepted to be the optimum. Two particular recommendations include the sinusoidal edge support and edge support articulation. Three-dimensional theory of elasticity in nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinates is used for the deformation analysis.