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Construction of the mold for a third 6.5-m honeycomb blank began in February 1998. This mirror was destined for the second 6.5-m Magellan Project telescope in Chile. The casting of Magellan II commenced in September 1998. The glass was loaded into the mold on August 28, 1998 and heating of the furnace began on September 9, 1998. The peak furnace temperature of 1165 C was reached on the morning of September 15, 1998. Finally, the furnace was opened to reveal the cooled mirror blank on December 8, 1998.