Customer Reviews

Making & Enjoying Telescopes: 6 Complete Projects & A Stargazer's Guide

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I have to say at first i was dissapointed. I bought this book as a beginer telescope maker and i had to put it away. Then i bought Richard Berry's book and was enlightened. This is not to say that i don't like this book. If you have some experience with tools and wood i would suggest this book first. Or if you have made at least one telescope before, i would also suggest this book. Robert Miller & Wilson have many insights and examples but in many places they leave you on your own. Fortunately i have a degree in physics and was able to do fine on my own. One of my favoriate scopes was built using 3 of his plans mixed together. If you have a basic idea or have made scopes before... this is the best book to buy. If you have never made a scope before and are just getting into this field of astronomy, do yourself a favor and get Richard Berry's book.. (also here on amazon.com) But i promise that if you buy this book later on, you will be happy. If you buy it now,you will get frustrated. What Robert Miller & Wilson did teach me was to, above all, enjoy the scope you make!!

This book is very imformative and useful to the beginning telescope maker. It does not describe mirror grinding or optical testing but very thoroughly explains construction, design, and tips for making 10 inch or less telescopes

I've been reading a lot of older books on telescope making, and this is one of the better ones. It is new enough, 1995, to avoid wasting time on making your own mirror. It focuses on how to use telescopes, basic principles, and general plans for 6 telescopes with extensive notes on a 7th. It's especially nice that the author is not an expert woodworker and the skill level required to build these scopes appears to be within the reach of an average person.

The projects described are as follows:

- Star tracker mount for a camera
- A simple 4-1/4" reflector with a PVC tube
- A 4-1/4" reflector with a wooden tube
- A 6-inch Equatorial mounted reflector
- An 8-inch f/5 reflector
- A 10" Dobsonian

And extensive notes and photos of a portable 8" Dobsonian using only two aluminum struts instead of a 8-tube truss or solid tube. If you're thinking of building a telescope, this book is well worth a look.

This book makes it easier to understand the great hobby of Amatuer Telescope Making. I read this book from front to back, twice! Included in this book are easy to follow instructions on making six very usable amatuer telescopes. A must for any astronomer's bookshelf. Also included is a great chapter on a portable 8" reflecting telescope,designed by Bob Scholtz.