Build a Low-Cost TELESCOPE With CLOCK DRIVE: Plans

THIS PALOMAR-TYPE , 4-1/2" REFLECTING TELESCOPE IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO ENABLE YOU TO SEE THE MOONS OF JUPITER

YOU CAN MAKE THIS reflecting-type astronomical telescope with the simplest of hand tools and mount it on any sturdy camera tripod for less than $100.

 IN THE 1960'S A FULL KIT WAS AVAILABLE FOR $22, but now with just a minimum of shopping around on the internet, and these very detailed plans,  it can still be the most economical way to see the stars.

HOW A REFLECTING TELESCOPE WORKS. When light rays from the moon, a planet or star enter the telescope tube and strike the mirror, the rays are reflected and converge to form an image a predetermined distance from the morror which is equal to the radius of the curvature of the mirror. With the mirror we are using, this distance is 45 in. + 3% - 0% and it is called the focal length of the lens or mirror. If you placed a ground glass at the image point you would actually see the object reflected by the mirror. But, because the image of the reflected object would be so very small, an eyepiece, with its focal length adjusted to exactly coincide with the reflected image, is used to magnify it. The diagonal mirror is placed in the telescope tube to reflect the converging rays out of the side of the tube where it is practical to place the eyepiece.

A CLOCK-DRIVE EQUATORIAL MOUNT, which can be made for a cost of $20 for parts, is a necessity if you intend to take time-exposure photographs of stars or nebulas with a camera attachment on your telescope.

NINE PAGES which I have enlarged 125% for clarity and your reading enjoyment, containing the plans, step-by-step assembly, materials sources, and adjustments for your area.

TOOLS REQUIRED: metal cutting snips, screwdriver, hand saw. 

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