A Cardboard Kit for a Fully Functional Newtonian Reflecting Telescope!
The telescope is equipped with a Dobsonian mounting that makes pointing at celestial objects easy. The main BAADER glass mirror with SiO2 coating has a diameter of 70 mm and a focal length of 450 mm. Two eyepieces provide magnification factors of 16x and 30x, enough for the observation of Moon Craters and even the Moons of Jupiter.
The telescope can be equipped with a dedicated Solar Filter to upgrade it for observations of the Sun
You can also mount the telescope on a standard photographic tripod with our Tripod Adapter.
A Small Change with a Big Effect
In 1668 Isaac Newton (1643 - 1727) solved several problems of refracting telescopes when he invented the reflecting telescope. His great idea was to replace the convex objective lens with a hollow mirror. Light hitting the mirror is gathered, reflected onto a small angled flat mirror, and then directed sideways into the eyepiece. Newtons first mirrors, ground and polished by himself, had diameters of 25 and 50mm and a focal length of 300mm. With this, he achieved a magnification of about 30x.
Replicating Newton's Achievement
The power of the AstroMedia Reflecting Telescope is very similar to Newton's first instruments. Heart of the telescope is the main mirror, a spherical precision mirror made from ground and polished glass. It has a diameter of 70mm and a focal length of 450mm, and was specially calculated and produced for this kit. The eyepieces are fitted with acrylic glass lenses. With the help of Wolfgang Busch, Ahrensburg, we found lens arrangements that avoid colour aberrations and distortions as much as possible. The eyepieces achieve magnifications of 16x an 30x, which is sufficient to observe the craters on the Moon and, after proper adjustment of the main mirror, even the moons of Jupiter. The optional Solar Filter allows the observation of sunspots and planetary transits.
Follow in Newton's Footsteps
Of course a cardboard telescope can't be compared to much more expensive industrially manufactured instruments. Nevertheless, this kit gives you the opportunity to follow Newton in putting together your own telescope and in the end you will be as surprised by the result as Newton was when he built his.
This kit contains:
- 12 pre-cut and printed sheets of A4 construction cardboard
- 5 acrylic glass lenses, Ø 16.5 mm, focal lengths 30 - 65 mm, also available individually as replacements
- accessories:
1 primary mirror, spherical, Ø 70 mm, focal length 450 mm
1 secondary mirror, 15.5 x 22.0 mm - detailed assembly instructions
Features: 16x and 30x magnification
Dimensions of the built item: approx. 44 x 26 x 16 cm
Construction time: approx. 10 - 12 hours
Producer: AstroMedia GmbH, Im Wirrigen 30, 45731 Waltrop, Germany, astromedia.de
Below you can download the instructions for this kit.
Things you need for assembly:
- a good universal glue
- a pair of scissors or a craft knife
- a dull knife for folding
- a toothpick or similar to stiffen the ocular tube
- a few paper clips
- about 12 document clips or clothes pegs
- a triangle or ruler for aligning the main mirror
- if available, a glass sphere to reflect the Sun
For perfectionists:
- a black felt-tip pen
- a gold paint pen
Adult supervision:
Children under the age of 14 should only use the kit under adult supervision to avoid risks due to improper handling.
Take care with small parts:
Choking hazard! Keep small parts out of the reach of small children.
Risk of injury:
Take particular care when handling pointed and sharp parts! Use sharp tools with care and take suitable safety measures to avoid injury.
Fire hazard:
Keep away from naked flames and heat sources. Product contains highly flammable materials.
Caution when focussing light: Do not expose lenses to direct sunlight unattended as they can create a focal point.
Danger from sunlight:
Never look directly at the Sun through the telescope without using a suitable sun filter, as this can cause serious eye damage.
Use of adhesives:
Observe the manufacturer's safety instructions when using adhesives. Work in well-ventilated areas and avoid skin or eye contact.
Intended use:
The kit should be used in accordance with the enclosed instructions. Independent modifications may impair the functionality and safety of the model built.
