Amateur Telescope Making

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Shoestring Telescopes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. A 6-inch f/5 Telescope

      • Steven Lee

      Pages 3-13

   3. “Skinflint”: A 15.5-inch f/4.8 Reflector

      • Gil Stacy

      Pages 15-29

   4. An 80 mm RFT Refractor

      • Stephen Tonkin

      Pages 31-37

3. Specialised Telescopes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 39-39

      PDF

   2. Building a High-Contrast Planetary Newtonian

      • Gary Seronik

      Pages 41-51

   3. A Collapsible Refractor Or: How to Fit a Refractor Into a Shoebox!

      • Klaus-Peter Schröder

      Pages 53-60

   4. The Construction of a Buchroeder Quad-Schiefspiegler

      • Terry Platt

      Pages 61-78

   5. A Wright Camera

      • Bratislav Curcic

      Pages 79-94

   6. A Ball-Scope: The Best Portable Telescope!

      • Steven Lee

      Pages 95-125

4. Mounts

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 127-127

      PDF

   2. Equatorial Platforms

      • Chuck Shaw

      Pages 129-153

   3. A Computerized Dobsonian

      • Mel Bartels

      Pages 155-178

   4. Parallelogram Binocular Mount

      • Scott Wilson

      Pages 179-191

5. Astrophotography

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 193-193

      PDF

   2. A Better Barn Door

      • Stephen Tonkin

      Pages 195-208

   3. “Skypod”:A Simple Sky-Tracker for Astrophotography

      • E. G. Mason

      Pages 209-224

   4. Building and Using a Cookbook CCD Camera

      • Al Kelly

      Pages 225-237

   5. A Telescope Controller for Synchronous Motors

      • David Johnson

      Pages 239-246

Many amateur astronomers make their own instruments, either because of financial considerations or because they are just interested. Amateur Telescope Making offers a variety of designs for telescopes, mounts and drives which are suitable for the home-constructor. The designs range from simple to advanced, but all are within the range of a moderately well-equipped home workshop. The book not only tells the reader what he can construct, but also what it is sensible to construct given what time is available commercially. Thus each chapter begins with reasons for undertaking the project, then looks at theoretical consideration before finishing with practical instructions and advice. An indication is given as to the skills required for the various projects. Appendices list reputable sources of (mail order) materials and components. The telescopes and mounts range from "shoestring" (very cheap) instruments to specialist devices that are unavailable commercially.

• CCD
• instruments
• photography
• planet
• telescope

From the reviews
"... Stephen Tonkin (has) added a worthy contribution to the collective wisdom of amateur astronomy ...."
SKY & TELESCOPE

 

SKY & TELESCOPE
"…Tonkin has assembled a potpourri of excellent do-it-yourself projects, ranging from small refractors and simple rich-field telescopes to large instruments with tilted-component optics and a high-performance, home-built, computer-controlled telescope…will appeal strongly to mid-level amateur astronomers, whether they are equipment buyers or builders. Novices should find much to marvel at, and advanced amateurs will appreciate the useful and timely insights into the current technology of telescopes and sensors…[a] worthy addition to the ever-growing literature of telescopes and telescope making.”

REVIEWS OF ASTRONOMICAL TOOLS
"The book is a nice collection of interesting ideas on telescopes and accessories for the do-it-yourself astronomer.”

NEW SCIENTIST
"For advice on how to get going, look no further than two excellent books – AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKING and ASTRONOMICAL EQUIPMENT FOR AMATEURS…Highly recommended.”

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