Help me building a telescope.?

Question

I want to build a telescope. But I am confused about the articles present on the web. It seems like they are very much complicated. They require very much material. I am unable get the help of any one in my area. If anybody knows which design would be better

Galilean Refractor or Newtonian Reflector

and also help me. If you have experience with it then please provide me with full list of materials to be purchased and full instructions.

Answer 1

A lot depends on whether you want to build your own optics, or just to assemble the optics into a tube.  Grinding lenses is not for beginners; I'd definitely recommend that you purchase your lenses from supply.  Grinding a mirror is easier, especially with hands-on help, but you can also buy a decent mirror.

A Galilean refractor is an odd choice.  It does present an upright image--a plus to many beginners--but it provides inferior image quality and a narrower field of view compared to the more typical Keplerian refractor.  The Keplerian refractor does invert the field of view, but in astronomy, there is no up or down, so inversion doesn't matter a whole lot.  If you're following star charts, just turn the charts upside-down.

The Newtonian reflector is reasonably straightforward to build, and is one of the most popular designs going, both to build and to buy.  It's an outstanding value either way.

I will reiterate what others have said, though: The reason to embark on this project is not to save money, because you'll probably spend just as much money putting the telescope together as it would have cost to buy it.  The reason is to learn more about how telescopes are constructed, and to take pride in your work.

If you say a bit more about how much of the telescope you want to build, and where you live (generally speaking--no specifics), it would be easier to help you.

Answer 2

Refractors would be tough for an amateur to build, Galilean style is very obsolete, they would not be considered a modern type of telescope.  Apochromatics are the rage in high-end refractors, good ones in the 5 to 6 inch range go for thousands of dollars, you would need highly specialized equipment.

Newtonians are simple and a better choice for the homemade ones.

The kind of mount you want is an important consideration.  Dobson style Newtonians are the most popular for people to make.  Most of the mount is made from plywood.  I built a 10 inch one when I was 14.  I did not grind my own mirror, this takes a lot of time and then you need to send if off to a place to get the reflective coating applied.  Many people do this, mostly for the fun of it, as you can buy them made already for not too much.  Dobsons are simple, but you sacrifice equatorial tracking, which is important for photography.  There are modifications to achieve tracking with a dobson, it all depend on how complex you want to make it, and your budget.

As to the details, it is too much to go into here.  Many books have been written on the subject.  Jean Texeraux and Richard Berry both have highly respected books out on the subject, there are others too.  I recommend buying a good book and reading it first.  These can be purchased on-line.

I hope this helped.

Answer 3

If you want a nearly trivial project, there is a kit to build a scope just like Galileo's that's coming out soon.

Otherwise, build a Newtonian reflector on a dobsonian mount. If you want to grind a mirror, go with a 6 inch first. Do this even if you expect to grind a much larger mirror. They take much, much longer for larger mirrors. It's best to make most of your mistakes on a smaller 6 inch.

There are some books that can help you with design. I suggest keeping the focal length under 48 inches, so the tube fits across your car's back seat. For further help, join a local club. Check out the sky & telescope link below.

My club historically has had a number of people build scopes from 6 inches to 14 inches. A new member recently asked about it, and was offered an 8 inch mirror and a focuser for free from members. The 8 inch mirror has already been ground, and just needs polishing and coating. So it's just the tube, the mirror cell, and the mount. Pretty sweet for an 8".

Want to get good use from the scope when it's built? Join a club. All roads lead to a club near you.

Answer 4

you don't want much, do you?

why do you want to build a telesscope? you aren't going to save any money. not nowadays.

one of the better references is richard berry's "build your own telescope". please obtain and read a copy.

Answer 5

If you want a nearly trivial project, there is a kit to build a scope just like Galileo's that's coming out soon.

Otherwise, build a Newtonian reflector on a dobsonian mount.  If you want to grind a mirror, go with a 6 inch first.  Do this even if you expect to grind a much larger mirror.  They take much, much longer for larger mirrors.  It's best to make most of your mistakes on a smaller 6 inch.

There are some books that can help you with design.  I suggest keeping the focal length under 48 inches, so the tube fits across your car's back seat.  For further help, join a local club.  Check out the sky & telescope link below.

My club historically has had a number of people build scopes from 6 inches to 14 inches.  A new member recently asked about it, and was offered an 8 inch mirror and a focuser for free from members.  The 8 inch mirror has already been ground, and just needs polishing and coating.  So it's just the tube, the mirror cell, and the mount.  Pretty sweet for an 8".

Want to get good use from the scope when it's built?  Join a club.  All roads lead to a club near you.

Answer 6

Why not join your nearest astronomy club and they will be pleased to help