Telescope Reviews: Best books and resources for mirror making

Hello Diek

I started making telescopes by reading on websites as you have done. I had no previous experience with telescopes or visual astronomy. I recommend the following books in that order that I have them listed.

“How to Make a Telescope” by Jean Texereau

This book is the standard, accept no substitutes. It was written in the early 50s and remains the standard. Get the second edition updated by the original author in 1984. I used this to complete my first 6” mirror. BTW, mirror making is the subject of Chapter 2. The book actually covers the entire topic of telescope making. The telescopes he makes reflect the realities of the 1950. I do not suggest that you use any of his older designs. In fact after chapter 2. I suggest that you move on to the next book.

“The Dobsonian Telescope” by David Kriege & Richard Berry

There are several good books that tell you how to build a Newtonian telescope. This one assumes that you want a rather large scope in the 12+ range. The math, materials and other information is more complete that I have seen elsewhere. It goes step by step through why you would want to build a telescope and what type would be compatible with your lifestyle.

Given the books assumption that you want a larger mirror the author recommends that one not make a mirror for an 18” to 20” scope as a first project. Such a commitment would require that you complete one or more smaller mirrors to develop the skills required. This would delay the project by years. I agree with this in that I wanted a 12” first and I had to make a 6” to learn how to do it. I am now nearing completion of my 12.5” project. Paradoxically the book contains a nice overview of mirror making in an appendix.

“Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes” by Harold Richard Suiter

This book is a lot more than instruction on star testing but a tutorial on collimation, optics, diffraction, thermal issues and mirror surface problems. It is a well researched and written by someone who has experience and offers practical advice on this testing. This book is sufficiently advanced I suggest that you actually complete your first scope before you read it. Much of it may be lost without the experience of actually having used a Foucault tester to test a mirror.

It is an interesting journey that you contemplate. I did it to better understand telescopes. I do not recommend it for those who wish to save money. Oddly, my 6” cost much more than a typical 6” would sell for but my 12.5” will actually be much cheaper than a similarly capable scope.

Good Luck and good seeing…

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Michael

ATM: 6" F/9 Newtonian Travel Scope
ATM: 12.5" F/4.5 Real Soon Now...