Simply by push-pull shear action at their outer edge, large circular t
elescope mirrors can be laterally supported free from bending distorti
on, if the upright mirror is kept in balance by a cosine distribution
of weak axial forces applied at its outer rim and possibly also at the
central hole. The flexure-induced comalike wave-front aberration of a
thin 8-m meniscus mirror was reduced to an rms value of 0.5 nm over t
he full aperture; the largest path difference was reduced to 2.4 nm. A
comparable result has also been calculated for a meniscus mirror of d
ifferent geometry and a material with different elastic constants. Rea
lizing such possibilities in practice demands accurate engineering. A
helpful artifice is investigated for the correct application of the ta
ngential supporting forces.