Reflecting telescope principle and model please?

In summary, the conversation is about someone asking for resources on building a reflecting telescope. The conversation also mentions the underlying principles and suggests checking Wikipedia and subscribing to a magazine for more information. The conversation is then moved to a different forum where someone else suggests purchasing an ATM kit for building a telescope, but also warns that it is a lot of work and may not result in significant cost savings. It is mentioned that building a telescope from scratch can result in higher quality optics, but it is a time-consuming project for a dedicated DIY enthusiast.
  • #1
rasik_35
1
0
can anyone please give me any resource for building a reflecting telescope (and also the underlying principles)
(sorry if it's not the right place to ask)
 
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  • #2
rasik_35 said:
can anyone please give me any resource for building a reflecting telescope (and also the underlying principles)

Completely the wrong sub-forum to post this question in, but for basic principles you can check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflecting_telescope. If you actually want to build one from scratch, you have a lot of work ahead of you, starting with fully understanding how they work. I don't know if anyone grinds their own mirrors anymore, so you'd probably start with a finished mirror and build from there, which can be fairly simple or extremely complicated depending on design details, how big the mirror is, and how good a telescope you want to wind up with. Pick up a subscription to Sky and Telescope, you'll learn a lot and get an idea of what you're getting into thinking about building one.
 
  • #3
Moved to the Astronomy forum.
 
  • #4
Amateur telescope making [ATM] is not quite as popular as it was 20-30 years ago. Modern manufacturing methods enable commercial production of finished mirrors cheaper than they can be built from scratch. Newport Glass Works http://www.newportglass.com/ngwkitp.htm sells very nice ATM kits at reasonable prices, and typically include a finished secondary mirror [making an optical flat is usually more difficult than making the main mirror]. The price includes aluminizing the primary once complete. Of course you will still need a tube, mirror cell, spider, focuser and mount. All in all, it is a great deal of work for very modest [if any] cost savings. It is, however, possible to build higher quality optics than commercially available. It is a good project for a hard core DIY'r with plenty of time to spare.
 
  • #5


I am happy to provide information on the principles and model of a reflecting telescope. A reflecting telescope uses mirrors to gather and focus light, rather than lenses like a traditional refracting telescope. The basic principle is that light enters the telescope through a large curved mirror, called the primary mirror, and is then reflected onto a smaller secondary mirror. The secondary mirror reflects the light back through a hole in the primary mirror, where it is then focused and directed towards the eyepiece.

There are many resources available for building a reflecting telescope, including online tutorials and instructional books. One great resource for beginners is "Build Your Own Telescope" by Richard Berry, which provides step-by-step instructions for building a simple reflecting telescope. Another helpful resource is the website of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston, which has a wealth of information and resources for building telescopes of all types.

I hope this information helps you in your project! Remember, building a telescope requires patience and precision, so take your time and enjoy the process. Good luck!
 

1. What is a reflecting telescope?

A reflecting telescope is a type of telescope that uses a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects. It was invented by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century and is commonly used in modern astronomy.

2. How does a reflecting telescope work?

A reflecting telescope works by using a curved mirror to reflect and focus light onto a secondary mirror, which then reflects the light into an eyepiece or a camera. This design allows for larger and more powerful telescopes to be built, as the mirrors can be made larger and more precise than lenses.

3. What are the advantages of a reflecting telescope?

There are several advantages of a reflecting telescope over other types of telescopes. These include a wider field of view, better light gathering ability, and the ability to use multiple mirrors to create a clearer image. Reflecting telescopes are also more compact and easier to build than refracting telescopes.

4. What are the different types of reflecting telescopes?

There are several different types of reflecting telescopes, including Newtonian, Cassegrain, and Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes. Each type has a different design and arrangement of mirrors, but they all use the same principle of using mirrors to gather and focus light.

5. How do you choose the right reflecting telescope?

When choosing a reflecting telescope, it is important to consider factors such as aperture size, focal length, and the type of mount. The larger the aperture, the more light the telescope can gather, resulting in a clearer and brighter image. The focal length determines the magnification power of the telescope. The type of mount will also affect the stability and ease of use of the telescope. It is best to research and compare different models to determine which one best fits your needs and budget.

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