When I was very young, my father ground a 6" mirror with a 48" focal length. I vaguely remember him walking around a table for hours every night for weeks. The

When I was very young, my father ground a 6" mirror with a 48" focal length. I vaguely remember him walking around a table for hours every night for weeks. The first mirror was a failure and he had to start again. The finished telescope was—and is still—a marvel although the mirror now needs to be re-silvered. Alas, the light pollution in my area cannot be so easily remedied.