how can i buy or make an astronomical telescope?

Question

the telescope must be economical so that i can buy or make it myself

Answer 1

Yes!

You can both buy and make your own telescope! You can even partially make your own telescope.

Some people make a telescope entirely from scratch and even grind the mirror themselves (most home made telescopes are reflectors but some adveturous people grind lenses and make refractors)

The cost to buy a decent used telescope starts at around $150. This will get you a 4.5" Newtonian on an equatorial mount.

You can e-mail me with any questions at [e-mail] if you have any additional questions.

You can buy an affordable used telescope from the classifieds at www.astromart.com

DO NOT buy a deparment store telescope or a reflector that emphasizes the power like "900X power!!!"



If you are interested in making a telescope look up ATM or telescope making on yahoo.

Answer 2

The Dobsonian is a popular design for home telescope makers because it is big and fairly simple. You can find kits for such things with an online search pretty easily. You might want to start just practicing grinding a small mirror so you a) see what you are getting into and b) can mess up once or twice on a small surface that won't cost so much in the way of time or money.

Answer 3

Making one might not be very economical if you want to make one that is actually good for viewing objects other than the moon and Mars (:

Meade and Orion telescopes are relatively expensive when you're looking for high-tech equipment, but you can probably do some price comparisons and find something that suits your scientific and economical taste.

Hope this helps, you get to understand space, and you save your money (:

Answer 4

get a paper towel tube and shove a monacle in it. Good luck!