Build your own telescope, just like Galileo did!
Galileo is famous for being the first man to point a telescope at the night sky. With this simple kit you can build yourself a telescope with an upright image, like the one he used in the 17th century. The factor of magnification is 10x, ideal for Moon craters and even the moons of Jupiter.
Can you find the moons of Jupiter?
A Galilean telescope uses a convex objective lens and a concave eyepiece lens. This has the advantage of producing an upright image, but it also limits the field of view significantly. The lenses of a Kepler telescope on the other hand are both convex, producing an upside-down image, which is no problem for astronomical observations. At the same time the field of view is MUCH larger! With our kit for a Kepler Telescope (see below), you can make the comparison yourself!
As Close to Heaven as Galileo
Galileo did not invent the telescope, but made a decisive improvement shortly after it was invented in Holland. His telescope had a larger, outwardly curved converging lens as an objective (towards the observed object) and a smaller, inwardly curved diverging lens as an eyepiece (towards the eye). Opera glasses are still made according to this principle today.
For Teaching
The Galileo telescope is easy to build and is ideal as teaching material in Secondary Schools. It can of course be used for other group and project work on the subject of astronomy and physics.
The kit includes:
Two printed A4 sheets of construction cardboard
Two OptiMedia lenses 1 and 9 with focal lengths -35mm and +360mm
Detailed instructions printed on the sheets
Magnification: 10x
Dimensions of the built item: Diameter approx. 5 cm, length 30 - 42 cm
Construction time: approx. 1 hour
Producer: AstroMedia GmbH, Im Wirrigen 30, 45731 Waltrop, Germany, astromedia.de
The instructions are printed on the back of the cardboard sheets.
Things you’ll need for assembly, or which might be useful:
- a firm, flat work surface – a cutting mat, for example, is useful
- a sharp craft knife or scalpel
- a blunt knife or a bone folder
- a good all-purpose glue
Adult supervision:
Children under the age of 14 should use the kit under adult supervision to avoid risks arising from improper handling.
Danger from sunlight:
Never look directly at the Sun through the telescope without using a suitable solar filter, as this can cause serious eye damage.
Caution regarding small parts:
Choking hazard! Keep small parts out of the reach of young children.
Risk of injury:
Take particular care when handling pointed and sharp parts! Use sharp tools with care and, where necessary, take appropriate safety precautions to prevent injury.
Fire hazard:
Keep away from open flames and sources of heat. The product contains highly flammable materials.
Caution regarding light concentration: Do not leave lenses exposed to direct sunlight without supervision, as they may create a focal point.
Use of adhesives:
When using adhesives, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions. Work in well-ventilated areas and avoid contact with skin or eyes.
Intended use:
The kit should be used in accordance with the enclosed instructions. Unauthorised modifications may compromise the functionality and safety of the assembled model.
