Stellafane ATM: Information Sources

A complete list of the ATM books we use are listed in our Bibliography; which includes both novice and advanced or specialized texts. Here we have selected those books that cover mirror making for the beginner. We tried to provide some additional information about each book to help you choose the book or books that meet your needs. We do not try to select a "best" or "favorite" book, as a survey of our club members at a recent mirror making workshop makes it clear that different people like different books, and they have all used their favorite book to help them successfully build a mirror.

Click on the [References] to jump to additional book information and links to publishers in our Bibliography.

[Berry94] Build Your Own Telescope by Richard Berry
Complete Plans for Five Telescopes you can Build with Simple Hand Tools
First Published 1985 - Second English Edition 1994

4" f/10 and 6" f/8 Equatorial Newtonians ; 6" f/8 and 10" f/6 Dobsonians; 6" f/15 Alt-Az Refractor; Mirror Making; Foucault Tester Plans & Use, Telescope Use.

Covers all aspects of making the listed telescopes. Practical "how-to", minimal theory. Excellent tester plans.

[Brown96] All About Telescopes by Sam Brown
First Published 1967 - Twelfth Edition 1996

Too many telescope, mount and accessory projects to list (1 or 2 pages each). Many easy to understand illustrations, diagrams, charts, tables and formulas. Mirror Making; Foucault Tester Plans & Use.

Excellent diagrams relating Foucault Shadows to apparent and actual mirror surface shape.

[Howard84] Standard Handbook for Telescope Making by Neale E. Howard
First Published 1959 - Revised Edition 1984

Mirror Making; Foucault Tester Plans & Use; Diagonal Making; Fiberglass Tube Construction; Mounts; Poncet Platform; Observatories; Telescope Use.

Lever-Arm Tester and Fiberglass Tube Construction unique to this book.

[Kriege97] The Dobsonian Telescope by David Kriege & Richard Berry
A Practical Manual for Building Large Aperture Telescopes
First Published 1997

Detailed Plans for 16" and larger Truss Tube Dobsonians; 8" f/6 Dobsonian Plans; Making Large, Thin Mirrors (Robert Kestner).

Except for the 8", these are not for most beginners. However, the mechanical and mirror making advice is detailed, clear and excellent, and can be applied to smaller projects. True ATM spirit in adapting common hardware for uncommon use on telescopes.

[Lecleire03] A Manual for Amateur Telescope Makers by Karine & Jean-Marc Lecleire
First Published in English in 2003; Original French Edition 1997.

Has detailed plans to construct three different telescopes. Covers all aspects of mirror making, and directions for making diagonal flats, perforated primaries and optical windows. The third telescope is a 300-mm f/12 Cassegrain-Coude with four optical components.

The three projects span a broad range of challenge, with the first 130mm f/9.2 being a fine beginners project and the third a challenging, advanced ATM project. This book is packed with diagrams and information on all aspects of the amateur telescope making. It is very well illustrated. Includes much theory and equations which many basic books omit. Reminds me very much of a modernized Texereau (who by the way wrote the Foreward)

[Texerau84] How to Make a Telescope by Jean Texereau
First French Edition 1951 - Second English Edition 1984

8" f/6 Alt-Az Newtonian; Theory and Practice of Mirror Making; Foucault Tester Plans & Use; Classical Cassegrain, Optics and Mechanical; Making Diagonals and Optical Windows; Mountings; Drives.

Texereau was a professional astronomical optician and his book is considered the most authoritative and detailed by many. Good figuring advice.

[Thompson73] Making Your Own Telescope by Allyn J. Thompson
First Printing 1947 - Revised 1973 - Eleventh Printing 1980

6" f/8 Equatorial Newtonian; Mirror Making; Foucault Tester Plans and Use; Diagonal Making; Equatorial Pipe Mount.

Tester plans are minimal - simplest tester of all books here.

Periodicals

Magazines have traditionally provided a wealth of ideas and inspiration for the ATM. Their advertisements connect you with suppliers of ATM materials and services. And most have a broad astronomy focus, covering all areas of the field. While ATM articles for the novice do appear from time to time, they are not a staple of any listed magazine - so don't expect to pick up an issue and find something suitable, unless you happen to be very lucky. That's not to suggest you shouldn't subscribe, just don't expect the periodicals to be a prime source of novice ATM projects.

Click on the [References] to jump to additional information and links to publishers in our Bibliography.

[AA] Amateur Astronomy Quarterly

No regular ATM section or column, but there are occasional telescope making articles. Good coverage of star parties and observing topics.
http://www.amateurastronomy.com

[Astro] Astronomy Monthly

No regular ATM section or column. When a project is published, it is most likely to be targeted at the novice level.
http://www.astronomy.com

[Sky&Tel] Sky & Telescope Monthly

Regular Telescope Techniques section with emphasis on new designs or techniques. Historically, the predecessor column Gleanings for ATMs was a prime source of ATM information and ideas, and many people still keep a library of back issues for this still valuable information.
SkyTonight.com

Books

Periodicals

Internet Sites

Clubs & Conventions