Re: ATM Which kind of telescope?

[Søren Neigaard <neigaard@e-box.dk>]

Well... Ok heres the hole story, why I want to build my own telescope:

Once uppon a time I was a electrician and I worked with my hands. Now
I'm a software developer, and I havent build anything with my hands for
about 4 years. The last 1 - 1.5 year my hands has longed after building
something, and lately (for about 1 year) I have been looking for a nice
project where I can use my hands, and at the same time use whatever
comes out of it.

I have always been facinated with the stars (who hasnt), but I have
never really done anything about it. For about two months ago, I got a
tour at the local university observetory, and here I got a look at
Saturn (amongst other planets). Well it wasnt much to look at (an old,
but huge telescope) compared to the pictures I have seen of the planet,
but it felt kind of special to look at the real thing (maybe this sounds
silly or stupid).

Oh and then I came on the idea that this could be combined with my need
to construct things. I did not know if anybody made their own
telescopes, neither did I dream of there being a large community of
telescope constructors (I should have guessed so). I surfed the net, and
what I have seen so far only encourages me even more. There is a lot of
challanges in the construction of a telescope as I see it, theres the
technical parts and theres the challange of making the telescope loog
good.

Maybe this is the wrong motivation to start building a telescope, I dont
know? Maybe I should be motivated by the possibility of building a
better telescope than I can buy, and since I'm a newbie, I wouldnt even
know what a better telescope is?

What do you say, have I jumped into the wrong hoppy, of the wrong
reasons? It just seemed really interesting to me, and it looked as a
hoppy that I could spend many many hours on.

/Søren

On Thu, 2001-12-27 at 04:49, Richard Schwartz wrote:
> 
> I don't see why you want to build a telescope.  What will you get out of it?
> You can probably BUY a better telescope in a department store.   There are
> already too many people bulding telescopes; we don't need or want any more.
> 
> BUT... if you must, almost all telescopes have good and bad features.  Your
> choice depends on what is best for YOU.   We start by finding out what you
> want to do with the scope...
> 
> -- use it as a telescope, or use it to teach yourself about telescope
> making?
> 
> -- take it to the mountains, or use it at home?
> 
> -- study the planets and double stars, or look at star clusters and nebula?
> 
> -- look through it, or use it with a camera?
> 
> Answer these questions, and the list members might be able to guide you
> better.
> 
> . . . Richard
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Søren Neigaard" <neigaard@e-box.dk>
> To: <atm@shore.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 4:16 AM
> Subject: ATM Which kind of telescope?
> 
> 
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > I'm thinking of building a telescope. I'm a total newbie, even to
> > astronomy. I have always liked to build things myself, and I have a
> > nice workshop with a LOT of tools, so I can build the most things
> > there.
> >
> > I'm a little confused about all the different types of telescopes
> > there is. Could you maybe tell me, or point me to a web-site that
> > explains me the differences between the telescopes. Which are the
> > best, what are the different types good at and which would be easiest
> > to build for a newbie?
> >
> > Thanks in advance :)
> >
> > --
> > Med venlig hilsen/Best regards,
> >  Søren Neigaard mailto:neigaard@e-box.dk
> > --
> >  "Perfection is reached, not when there is no longer anything to add, but
> when there is no longer anything to take away. "
> >
> >
> 
> 
> 
-- 
..............................
Med venlig hilsen/Best regards
Søren Neigaard
Registered Linux User #239437