MOONWARD Vacuum Coatings (Optical Coatings For Telescopes) The optical surfaces of all modern quality astronomical instruments are coated with very thin layers of metal or dielectric materials to either enhance or reduce reflections. Alan Ward and John Moon will present a technical overview of what every telescope user should know about optical coatings. The topics will include a survey of available coatings for mirrors and lenses and their characteristics.

Following the presentation, there will be display samples of the various coating types made available for examination and comparison purposes.

is sole proprietor of MOONWARD Vacuum Coatings. He is actively involved in telescope making, and the promotion and teaching of telescope making.

John Moon is an electrical engineer who has been involved with MOONWARD Vacuum Coatings from its inception (1993), acting as a technical collaborator. His interest in astronomy is primarily in radio astronomy.