How to Design a Simple Telescope?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a simple telescope, with participants sharing various insights into types of telescopes, construction methods, and resources for beginners. The scope includes practical advice, personal experiences, and recommendations for specific telescope designs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that designing a telescope is a complex task with extensive literature available, encouraging the original poster to seek out resources and local astronomy clubs.
  • Another participant recommends a reflector telescope, specifically a Dobsonian type, and mentions a preferred size of around 15 inches (38 cm), providing links to various plans and resources.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes starting with a simple Newtonian reflector telescope with a Dobsonian mount, noting that it is relatively uncomplicated to construct and can be done with accessible materials.
  • Concerns are raised about the bulkiness of Dobsonian mounts and the length of the telescope, particularly for 6 to 8-inch scopes.
  • There is mention of Cassegrain scopes as a more advanced option, being smaller for a given resolution but more challenging to build.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the recommendation of reflector telescopes, particularly Dobsonian designs, but there are differing opinions on the complexity and practicality of various types of telescopes. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach for beginners.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of experience and familiarity with telescope construction, and there are references to specific resources and costs associated with building different types of telescopes. Some assumptions about the availability of materials and tools are present but not explicitly stated.

Alawadhi
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Hi and hello. I’m new here and this is my first post. How to design a telescope guys?
 
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That's a HUGE question and is something on which there is TONS of literature. Don't expect a five minute step by step set of instructions. Take the initiative! :smile: Look it up online, at the library, ask members of the local astronomy club etc. I hear some of the veteran members of those clubs even grind their own mirrors from scratch! Local science centres tend to have camps for telescope-building (if you are a kid, that is--otherwise it's a solo project for you). I have never attempted it, but I want to, when school is not so pressing. It's a great amateur project, and you will have fun. Just decide what kind of telescope best serves your observing interests and practical needs. What aperture size? What design? Reflector or refractor? Good luck man... :wink:
 
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One needs a knowledge of optics and the physics of light.

For the best image, I would recommend a reflector telescope, and the best type appears to be a Dobson type, and something on the order of 15 inches (38 cm).

Here are some plans - http://members.aol.com/sfsidewalk/intro.htm

or http://www.willbell.com/tm/dobtel.htm

or buy a Dobson - http://telescopes.com/johndobson.htmlhttp://telescopes.com/johndobson.html

recommendation - http://www.phys.vt.edu/~jhs/dobsonian.html

Notes from John Dobson's telescope making class
http://sfsidewalkastronomers.org/telescopes/building/dobnotes

and his site - http://www.johndobson.org/index.html
and http://www.sidewalkastronomers.com/index.html

Finally, if you are obsessed - http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/OBHP.html :biggrin:
 
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Astronuc said:
Finally, if you are obsessed - http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/OBHP.html :biggrin:

WOW...
 
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I second Astronuc's suggestion.

If you are a first-timer, I would recommend you try your hand at a simple Newtonian (reflector) scope with a Dobsonian mount. These are reasonably uncomplicated as far as construction is concerned, and you can buy all the parts you need for about a couple of hundred dollars (US). The dominant cost is in the primary mirror - and if I recall correctly, you can buy a decent 6" or 8" mirror for about a hundred bucks. Other notable costs will be in the secondary (diagonal) mirror and in eyepieces. The body and mount can be made from relatively cheap raw materials. Access to a woodshop or woodworking tools will be most useful.

While the dobsonian is the easiest "nice" telescope to make, it has drawbacks in that the mount is usually bulky and the scope itself is fairly long (3 to 4 ft long for a 6 to 8 inch scope).

I've referred to this site, and found it quite nice.

Cassegrain scopes are much fancier (smaller for a given resolution) than Newtonian scopes but are way harder to build.
 
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