Gourt > Science > Astronomy > Amateur > Amateur Telescope Making (2)
The field of amateur telescope making is considered an offshoot of the amateur astronomy community. Amateur telescope makers (sometimes called ATM’s), as their name implies, are not paid professionals. They build their telescopes for the enjoyment of the hobby, or so they can make a personal contribution to the field of astronomy.
The beginnings of a “hobby”
Ever since Galileo took a Dutch invention and adapted it to astronomical use, telescope making has been an evolving discipline. Many astronomers after the time of Galileo built their own telescopes out of necessity, but the advent of amateurs in the field building telescopes for their own enjoyment and education seems to have come into prominence in the 20th century.
There were many published works that sparked interest in building telescopes, including Rev. William F. A. Ellison's 1920 book "The Amateur's Telescope" and several articles in Popular Astronomy by Russell W. Porter, including one appearing in March, 1923 about the Telescope Makers of Springfield. In 1925 Albert G. Ingalls featured Porter and the Springfield Telescope Makers. in an article he wrote for Scientific American magazine. There was so much public interest, a whole series of articles were written by Ingalls on the subject. Those articles (and later three books titled “Amateur Telescope Making” Vol. 1-3) helped people around the world take on the task of constructing their own instruments. In the US, the ready supply of surplus optical components after World War 2 and later Sputnik and the space race greatly expanded the hobby.
More on [ Amateur telescope making ]
Astrophotography and CCD Imaging :: Amateur
Telescopes, Binoculars and Accessories :: Business
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100% Do It Yourself - Equatorial table, hydraulic focusing system, stepper motor electronic controls, hydraulic drive, advice to build a telescope, and beginners corner
A Photovisual Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - Information acquired during design and construction of a 7.5 aperture F8.
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Al's Custom Telescope Accessories - Oak tripod, tripod accessories, leg kits, feedback, and links.
Meta Description: [ AlsAstro.com - Hello, my name is Al Canarelli. I’m a professional cabinet maker who always had a burning interest in astronomy. During the early part of 2000, I purchased a Chinese made 6” refractor (SkyWatcher), which came with a CG-5 mount and extendable aluminum tripod. The telescope’s... ]
Amateur Telescope Makers (ATM) Archives - To disseminate knowledge, experiences, ideas, and resources.
An Amateur Telescope Maker's Projects - Articles on various telescope designs.
Astro Designs - Accessory designs and information to enhance the use of Meade LX200s, Dobsonian reflectors, and other telescopes plus star charts for computerized telescopes.
Astronomy and Telescope Making - List of projects, mirror testing, do it yourself projects, CCD imaging and techniques, and Messier observations.
ATM - Amateur Telescope Making - Information on telescope building, equatorial platform, scotch mount, and binocular mount, and information how to let a Dobsonian telescope move smoothly.
Meta Description: [ These pages contain information about astronomy, especially about amateur telescope making ]
ATM Letters - Electronic based Journal with current issue, past issues, and archives.
Meta Description: [ ATM Letters - Journal for Amateur Telescope Makers edited by Ivan Krastev includes all about telescope making ]
Computer Operated Telescopes - Features plans and designs for stepper or servo motor layouts as well as features, free software, how-to information, and links.
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Copernicus Kintaro Observatory - Provides pictures of the various stages of construction with progress cataloged on the site.
Dan Bakken and Hercules - World's largest portable amateur telescope, 41.2 Newtonian reflector with pictures of the telescope and during construction.
Meta Description: [ Personal Home page of Dan Bakken. Meet Hercules ]
Dave's ATM Page - Information to add altitude-azimuth controller and unipolar stepper motor controller to a telescope, and directions with drawings and images of individual parts for a ten inch scope.
Meta Description: [ This site is for those interested in Amateur Telescope Making ]
Digital Setting Circle Installation on Celestron C8 Fork Mount - Shows installation of electronics and mounting of the shaft encoders to both axis of the telescope, includes photographs and drawings..
Meta Description: [ DSC installation on Celestron C8 ]
Donkey's and Fat Boy's Telescope Page - Materials, decisions, rough and fine grinding, and polishing to make a 8 mirror.
Meta Description: [ Donkey's & Fat boy's Telescope Page!
Provides Donkey's and Fat boy's account of making a telescope suitable for astronomical observations,
and reinforces the fact that anyone can do the same! ]
Foucault Tester - Building a Foucault tester with a unique return mechanism, simplistic in design and very practical, enables the user to obtain highly accurate results.
Meta Description: [ A highly precise ballbearingless Foucault tester ]
Got Grit? - Telescope mirror making supplies and tutorials.
Jim Richberg's Mostly Astronomy Web Site - Projects, solar observing, collimation tools, observing tips, gallery, and links.
Meta Description: [ Amateur Telescope Making, equipment testing and reviews, observing tips, techniques, and reports ]
Making and Motorizing of Telescope - Construction of small newtonian and Mel Bartels system for computer control.
Meta Description: [ Amateur telescope optics making and motorizing according to Mel Bartels' system. ]
Mark Parrish's Website - Construction of reflector, refractor, and mini solar cam with images, and astro images.
Meta Description: [ a personal site detailing my interest in astronomy, photography and telescope building. ]
Mike Lindner's Telescope Making - Links to completed telescopes and free mirror testing software.
Mike's Telescope Workshop - Photos and descriptions of binocular stand, several telescopes, solar camera, and links for parts.
Meta Description: [ Astronomical instruments from the workshop of Michael Davis ]
Mirror Making and Other Activities by Laurie Hall - Mirror making, the equipment and testing equipment.
Meta Description: [ Astro-Tel - Mirror Making and other Activities by Laurie Hall. ]
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Northern Lights Optics - Specializing in optical design showing process, specification list, examples, and technical information.
Poor Meadow Dyke Observatory - Construction details with images of Dobsonian, GEM reflector, portable Dobsonian, 20 goto scope, dome, and 20 goto Dobsonian.
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San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers - Building Telescopes - Plans and how-tos for building a Dobsonian telescope, solar filter, and mirror-making techniques.
Meta Description: [ Learn how to build your own Dobsonian ]
Scope Making - Plans and instructions for building a Dobsonian, refractor, wooden tripod, eyepieces and other accessories.
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Shane LaPierre's ATM Pages - 20 Dobsonian, 8 versatile newt, cookbook 245 CCD, equipment, images, logs, and links.
Stellafane ATM Pages - Simple and proven techniques that most appropriate for the beginner and the novice mirror and telescope makers.
Telescope Making 1997 - 2000 - Personal log of making a 10 inch Newtonian telescope and mirror, including pictures.
The Amateur Telescope Makers Email List - FAQ, managing a subscription, and archives.
The ATM Site - Repository for resources and techniques by chronological, keyword, or author.
Meta Description: [ This site is a repository for information for and by ATMs (Amateur Telescope Makers). Contributions of material gladly accepted. ]
The ATM's Workshop - Areas covered include optics, woodworking, metalworking, electronics, programming, and telescope equipment, and tips and techniques.
Meta Description: [ Amateur telescope making projects, tips, techniques, and reviews. ]
The Construction - Littlebear Observatory - Information and photos on the construction of the observatory.
The Dynascope Group - Enthusiasts dedicated to remembering, restoring and recommissioning classic Criterion telescopes.
The Octagonal Observatory - Documents design and building of an observatory for NexStar11 GPS telescope with images.
Weird Telescopes - Features several unique solutions for telescope issues with images.
Meta Description: [ Unobstructed reflecting telescopes are my passion.
Here are photos of amateur scopes along with descriptions of the various types. ]
| http://hubach.deviantart.com/ 1k Views 7/26/08 This is my father's garage where he is currently working on his telescope ... | |
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