Telescopes make distant objects appear closer by using a combination of several lenses and mirrors. If you happen to not have a telescope or binoculars at home, you can make your own! Note that the images may appear upside down.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Telescope with a Magnifying Glass
Step 1. Gather your materials
You will need a sheet of corrugated paper that is about 61 cm long (this is cardboard, easily available at paper or craft stores). You will need two magnifying glasses that are the same size. You will also need strong glue, scissors and a pencil.
If the magnifying glass isn't the same size, the telescope won't work
Step 2. Hold a magnifying glass (the larger one) between you and the paper
The printed image will look blurry. Place the second magnifying glass between your eye and the first magnifying glass.
Step 3. Move the second magnifying glass forward or backward, until the image is in focus and sharp
You will notice that the image appears larger and inverted.
Step 4. Wrap one of the magnifying glasses with paper
Mark the diameter on the paper with a pencil. Make sure it is pulled tightly.
Step 5. Measure along the edge of the paper starting at the first mark
You should measure about 3.8 cm from the mark. This is an additional length to attach to the circumference of the magnifying glass.
Step 6. Cut the paper on the marked line all the way to the other side
You should cut wide (don't cut lengthwise). The paper should be about 61 centimeters long on one side. Cut and make a hole in the cardboard tube, near the front opening, measuring about 2.5 cm. Do not cut the entire tube. The hole should be able to hold a large magnifying glass.
Step 7. Cut and make a second hole in the tube, the same distance from the first hole, as previously noted, between the two glasses
This is where the second magnifying glass will be placed.
You now have two pieces of corrugated paper. One piece should be slightly larger than the other
Step 8. Place the two magnifiers in their respective holes (the big one on the front, the small one on the back) and stick them inside using duct tape
Leave about 1 - 2 cm of tube on the back of the small magnifying glass and trim off the excess.
Step 9. Glue the first piece of paper around one of the magnifying glasses
You'll need to glue the edges of the paper together, as you've left about 3.81 cm (3.81 cm) of paper.
Step 10. Make a second magnifying glass tube
This one should be a little bigger than the first. It doesn't have to be too big, just so that the first tube can fit into the second tube.
Step 11. Insert the 1st tube into the 2nd tube
You can now use this telescope to see objects in the distance, although it will be difficult to see the stars clearly. This type of telescope is really good for viewing the moon.
The images will look upside down, because astronomers don't care about the up and down in space (after all, there is neither an up nor a down side in space)
Method 2 of 2: Making a Telescope with Lenses
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
You will need two lenses, a letter tube with an inner tube and an outer tube (you can get these at the post office or office supply store, the tube should be 5 cm in diameter and 110 cm in length), a hand saw, a cutter cardboard, strong glue and a drill.
- We recommend that the lenses have different focal lengths. For best results, use a concave-convex lens with a diameter of 49 mm and a focal length of 1350 mm, and a flat-concave lens with a diameter of 49 mm and a focal length of 152 mm.
- It is very easy to order these lenses over the Internet and they are not very expensive. You can get a pair of lenses for around Rp. 200,000, -.
- A hand saw is most effective for making clean straight lines, but you can use another type of saw or cutting tool if you need to.
Step 2. Cut the outer tube into half each
You'll need both halves, but the inner tube will do the job of spacing. The lenses will fit into one part of the outer tube.
Step 3. Cut 2 parts from the inner tube
This will be your spacer and should have an approximate diameter of 2.54 cm to 3.81 cm. Make sure you cut cleanly and straightly using a hand saw (or other tool).
The spacer holds the second lens in place, at the outer end of the letter tube
Step 4. Make eye holes inside the cap of the letter tube
Use a drill to apply light pressure to the center of the lid to create your eye holes. Again, this should be made as smooth and clean as possible to create the best visual results.
Step 5. Drill a few holes on the outside of the large tube
You will need to make several holes in the outer tube for the lens to hold, as these will allow you to insert the glue into the inside of the tube. Near the end of the inner tube is the best place, about 2.54 cm in.
You will also need to make a few holes at the end of the outer tube, for the eyepiece and cap
Step 6. Attach the eyepiece using glue to the removable cap
The eyepiece is a flat-concave lens and its flat part must be attached to the cap. You'll be gluing through the holes you've made and rotating the lenses to spread out the glue. Press the tube against the lens until the glue dries.
Step 7. Cut off the closed end of the outer tube
Eventually, you will insert the inner tube into the outer tube through this hole.
Step 8. Insert the first spacer into the outer tube
The spacer should be positioned flush against the inside of the outer tube, to hold the concave-convex lens in place. You'll need to drill a few holes and put glue into them just like you did with the eyepiece.
Step 9. Insert the second lens and spacer
You have to make some holes, put glue in them and smooth them out. Press firmly until the glue dries.
Step 10. Insert the inner tube into the outer tube
You can shift the parts as needed, to get the right focus. Since this is about 9x magnification, you should be able to see the moon's surface very clearly and even Saturn's planetary rings. Others are too far away for your telescope.
Step 11.
Tips
Make sure you get the right lenses for the second telescope, because the wrong lenses will make you unable to see anything
Warning
- Be careful not to drop the magnifying glass, as it will break easily.
- Do not look directly at the sun or any other bright object with a telescope, as this will DAMAGE your eyes.
