As Time Goes By

Well, it's been more than a year since my last post. I'm afraid I have nothing new to report, other than the fact that I have been fiddling with some designs for the base and mirror mount. You know how life takes over and pushes hobbies out of the way? Well, that happens to me a lot. I haven't been idle in the last year, and in fact I have recently begun a new project, which I just created a new blog about... an archtop guitar.

I have not abandoned this telescope project. It's just waiting for the right moment to continue. Hopefully, that will not be too much longer.

Long time, no write.

Not that I think there are many people following this, but I wanted to make a quick post to let people know that I do intend to continue this blog. I have recently gotten some 10" diameter tube with which to make the body of the telescope. Problem is, I have yet to get the primary mirror. I'm thinking that may happen some time over the summer. Had some priority expenses come up over the last while (not the least of which was a dental bill for my daughter) but should be back on track soon.

Spherical Aberrations.

It seems mirrors build on a sphere are not as precise with regard to focus as parabolic mirrors are. The page linked to below shows this much more clearly than I could explain it.

Spherical Aberration


I will end up having to spend more on a parabolic mirror, but in the end if I had to get more equipment to correct for spherical aberration then I will be spending more anyway. So, in order to keep things simple and still relatively inexpensive I will be looking for an affordable parabolic. I have my eye on one or two... just gotta do a little more investigating before I hit the "BUY IT" button.

,,, or, not quite yet...

I did a little research before buying the mirror I had in mind. Turns out because it is spherical, not parabolic, I am advised against buying it. It seems there are issues with spherical mirrors that require special corrective measures in order to obtain good focus. After I find out more about that I'll post info here.

May Be Ready To Get Going Again

I'm looking at ordering a primary mirror soon. This will depend on what I find out about the quality of what I have in mind. This is just a quick note to say that this blog has not gone the way of the dodo.

Little Mirror Test

I decided to purchase a used (and somewhat scratched up) little primary mirror to play around with and get used to the whole telescope making concept before moving onto the bigger stuff. This thing was so inexpensive.

How inexpensive was it?

It was so inexpensive ....

Nope, there's no way I can make a joke out of that, so I won't bother. But let's just say I've spent more on a quick lunch downtown. Really. It came from the Surplus Shed (which I think I mentioned in an earlier post).

It's a 2.5" spherical mirror with a 24" focal length. This means I will be able to construct a cute little telescope as a practice piece. I also have a particular plan for it. I want to do something a little different. I'll let you all in on that after I get the thing in the mail and start the plans for building it.

Telescope Building Info Links

If you're interested in learning more about telescope building, here's a good link.

Here's another. And I am told this one is one of the best. I have yet to give it a good read. I'll be commenting on it as I get through it.

Oh, by the way, don't let the naysayers discourage you. When researching the construction of a telescope you will always encounter those who say don't bother trying to build one, just buy one. Well, it depends on what you want in the end. Do you just want a telescope, or do you want to have the experience of building a telescope? If you chose the latter of those two then you should not allow yourself to be discouraged. These comments usually come from people who do not appreciate the significance of what one gains from building something.