How to build a telescope – Crayford Focuser – 10″ Dobsonian

Years ago just after we had the Internet installed in our house (haha that’s right, years ago! Believe it or not, once upon a time there was no Internet!), I was getting the hang of surfing around the web and stumbled on a link about designing and building a telescope!  Looking at the link, it reminded me of this guy I once knew from years back who made his own telescope.  I remember thinking at the time that it must have been very complicated.  I meant to have a closer look but for one reason or another missed the opportunity.  So seeing this link sparked my curiosity once again. What really surprised me was how basic the design was and how easy I thought it would be to make one of my own.  The scope was huge!!  I thought you’d be able to see to the end of the universe with that thing!  It actually looked more like a cannon than a telescope!  It was an 8” Dobsonian.  One click and I was transported into the world of telescope building and have never looked back since!

Here is the original link, just to give a shout out to the guy who got me into this crazy world of telescope building.

http://www.raycash.us/sfsidewalk/eightin.htm

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Source: www.astronomyblogger.com/homemade-stuff/how-to-build-a-telescope/

THE POOR MAN’S TELESCOPE – Mechanix Illustrated (May, 1962)

Definitely an old school project!

AS EVERY astronomer knows, a steady mounting is a must when using high magnification. Generally, to obtain the required steadiness, it has been considered necessary to build a strong, heavy instrument, made with high precision, often mounted on concrete piers. The disadvantage of such instruments, in their lack of portability, has led us to develop the six-inch reflecting telescope and mounting shown here. We feel it combines features especially suited to the needs of the amateur.

Source: blog.modernmechanix.com/the-poor-mans-telescope/

Control Your Telescope Using Stellarium & Arduino

I am fascinated by astronomy since the first time I looked to the night sky. Recently, I bought a 8″ Newtonian telescope that came with a Dobsonian mount. It’s…

Source: www.instructables.com/id/Control-Your-Telescope-Using-Stellarium-Arduino/

Check Out the Homemade Planetarium Built By A Very Committed Dude in Wisconsin

‘Screw the system,’ he thought, ‘I’ll build my own planetarium and spend over a decade and $180,000 doing it.’

Source: motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/aek93k/homemade-planetarium

Great little project for an all weather sky camera. 

Wireless All Sky Camera

An all sky camera is a device designed to take pictures of the entire sky over a certain amount of time, usually to monitor meteor showers or other astronomical…

Source: www.instructables.com/id/Wireless-All-Sky-Camera/

Dr. Erhard Hänssgen’s 42 inch (107 cm) Dobsonian Telescope

Dr. Erhard Hänssgen’s 42 inch (107 cm) Dobsonian Telescope

Portrait of Dr. Erhard Hänssgen’s 42 inch (107 cm) Dobsonian Telescope

Source: www.cruxis.com/scope/scope1070.htm

More details – 

http://www.cruxis.com/scope/scope1070_construction.htm