How do you make a Newtonian telescope?
falcons_rock! asked:
How would you go about constructing a Newtonian type telescope and about how long would it take? Any design ideas?
This entry was posted
on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Engineering.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
How would you go about constructing a Newtonian type telescope and about how long would it take? Any design ideas?
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Lots of plans are available on the web For example:
A Dobsonian mount is usually considered the easiest and cheapest way to go.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Newtonian scopes are the easiest. First you have to get two lenses (should be similar in size), then have two pieces of cardboard pipes or PVC, where you can move one closer or farther depending on the distance of the object. Google has a lot of ideas and you can visit for ideas too.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
You can do this various ways, but the designs are generally the same because a newtonian is a particular design of telescope.
First, do you want to grind the mirror yourself or buy one already made?
If you want to grind the mirror yourself, you need the mirror blank and griding supplies. You may use a grinding machine to “hog out” the mirror but the processes is time and labor intensive and requires a suitable working area.
It’s far easier to just buy the mirror already made.
Generally, what you will need is a primary mirror, mirror cell, secondary mirror, spider vein, optical tube, focuser, nots, bolts, and screws, and a mount, which you can build if you want.
Go to There are many resources there for amateur telescope makers.