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Good reflectivity, inexpensive, and easy to shape; commonly used with a protective and enhancing coating for primary telescope mirrors.

Resistant to thermal shock; more affordable alternative to Pyrex, often used in amateur telescopes.

Low thermal expansion coefficient; used for making mirror substrates because it maintains its shape as temperatures change.

Low dispersion and high transmission from UV to infrared; used in specialty lenses and as a substrate for coatings in refracting telescope objectives.

Extremely low thermal expansion; ideal for use in space telescopes and other instruments requiring precision over a wide temperature range.

Very low thermal expansion and excellent optical properties; used in space telescopes and high precision optics where stability and clarity are critical.

Low refractive index and high resistance to thermal and physical shocks; used for anti-reflective coatings on lenses and sometimes as the lens material itself.

Low density and high thermal stability; used for lightweight mirrors in space and military telescopes where weight and quick thermal response are critical.

High strength-to-weight ratio; used for lightweight telescope mirror substrates, particularly for space-based applications.