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Amateur Telescope Making

  • Book
  • © 1999

Overview

Editors:
  1. Stephen F. Tonkin
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  • A modern, up-to-the-minute book for amateurs * Looks at what it is sensible to make yourself * Covers a wide range of projects by some of the most prominent amateur telescope makers *
  • Contains hints, tips and general advice - not just step-by-step projects
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (PATRICKMOORE)

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
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  2. Shoestring Telescopes

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

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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