Making Other Optics
Refractors
- A Refractor You Can Build by Dick* (.wmv download)
- A Telescope Under $25 by Astro Bananas
- 4" Refractor by Tom
- VSC 100mm f/13 by Mel
- 5" f/12 Plywood Refractor by Andy
- VSC 127mm f/9.4 by Mel
- 6" Refractor by James
- 6" Plywood D&G by Andy
- 6" Oiled Doublet by Jan
- 7" Folded Istar by Chris
- Baffle Placement for Refractors by Scott
- Color Correction in Refractors by Roland
- Consider Making a Refractor by Don
- DIY Antique Reproduction by Dick*
- Faltrefaktoren by Wolfgang
- Geometrical Optics 1 by John
- Geometrical Optics 2 by John
- Geometrical Optics 3 by John
- Grinding & Polishing a Lens by Newport
- Historic Alvin Clark Rebuild by Allen
- Homebuilt 6" f/15 & Mount by Astrochef
- Let's Build a 7.5" Triplet Refractor by McConneley
- How It's Made: Optical Lenses
- Index of Refraction Measurement Ideas
- Istar 152mm Build by Rutilis
- Making a 102mm Refractor by Alberto
- My Homemade Refractor
- Newport Glass ATM Page
- The Classical Achromat by Neil
- Using Pfund to find Index of Refraction
- Wall Hypochromatic Refractor by John
Optical Flats & Secondaries
- A Tale of Four Flats by Mike
- Elliptical Flats by Lockwood Optics
- Flat Making by Reiner
- Flat Making by Serge (French)
- Flat Mirror Tests (thread on Cloudy Nights)
- Flat Tester by Laurie
- Grinding an Elliptical Flat by Gordon
- How To Measure Flatness by Van Keuren
- Jan's Optical Flat Making
- La Realisation d'un Miroir Plan by Serge
- Making and Testing an Auto-Collimating Flat by Ed
- Making High Precision Flats by Jeff
- Malacara on Flat Testing
- More on Optical Flats Video by Ed
- Optical Flats by Edmund Scientific
- Optical Flats for Secondary Mirrors by Jeff
- Optical Flat Making Video by Francis*
- Raleigh Water Test by Ed
- Ritchey-Common Testing
- Ritchey-Common Test by Wilson
- Testing an Optical Flat in Water by Ed
Compound Optics & Catadioptrics
- Compound Optics
- Cassegrain Ray Trace Simulation
- Cassegrain Telescopes for Amateurs (look in Miscellaneous Articles)
- Descartes Cassegrain by Charles
- Making a 27 Cassegrain by Francis*
- 28" Ritchey-Chretian Refigure by Mike
- Catadioptrics
Unobstructed Telescopes
- Schupmann Telescopes
Jim Daley's 9" Schupmann* - Stellafane 13" Schupmann
- Schiefspiegler Telescopes
- Yolo Telescopes
- Other Designs
Optical Testing
Foucault Testing
- Understanding Foucault Testing
- Reading Shadowgrams
- CCD/Film Slit Testing
- Foucault Hall of Shame
- Foucault Test by Astro Bananas
- Foucault Test by il Grattavetro
- Foucault Testing a 20" by Gordon
- Foucault.zip by Stephen
- Optical Testing of Parabolas by Maewert
- RoboFoucault by TMadden
- Simple Method by John
- Spot Test by John
- Understanding Foucault Booklet
Foucault & Ronchi Testers
- Stellafane Foucault Tester Plans
- Setting Up Your Tester
- ATM Workshop Foucault
- A Foucault Tester is Born by Alex
- Film/CCD Foucault by Bill
- Floppy Foucault Tester
- Floppy Tester by Jan
- Foucault Details
- Foucault-Ronchi-Lyot Tester by Jan
- Foucault Testers by Achim
- Foucault Tester by Armin (German)
- Foucault Tester by Berthold
- Foucault Tester by Laurie
- Foucault Tester by Doug A
- Foucault Tester by Mitchell
- Foucault Tester by Sarel
- Foucault Tester by Stathis (German)
- Foucault Tester CAD Movie
- Foucault Tester (Stellafane-Style)
- Homemade Tester by Massimo
- Unlocking Foucault by Bob
- Universal Mirror Stand by Berthold
- Versatile Tester
- Webcam Adaptation by Berthold
- XYZ Stage by Berthold
Ronchi Testing
- Stellafane Reading Ronchigrams
- How to Make a Ronchi Screen
- Interpreting Ronchi Patterns by John
- Le Test de Ronchi (French)
- Matching Ronchi Test
- Matching Ronchi Test by Mel Bartels
- PrintaRonchi by Tom
- Ronchi Test by il Grattavetro
- Ronchi Test by Masoud
- Ronchi Testing
- Ronchi Testing a 20" by Gordon
- Ronchi Testing by Dick*
- Ronchi Testing by Jeff
- Ronchi Test Simulation
- Ronchi Testing Log by Gert
- Ronchi Testing Spheres Video by Ed
- Ronchi Test Video
- Ronchi's Method of Optical Testing 1929
- Simulating the Ronchi Test
- The Ronchi Test by John
- Zambuto Ronchi Handout
Null Testing
- Autocollimation Testing at Stellafane
- Autocollimation Testing by Dick*
- Burch Null Test by Scott
- Dall Conjugate Video by Ed
- Dall Null Test
- Dall Null Test Set Up
- Holomask Calculator by Mel
- Hubble Optics
- HST Failure Report by NASA
- Indoor Artificial Star & Null Testing
- Modified Conjugate Null for Mirrors
- Oil Flat Autocollimation Testing by Mladen
- Parabolizing Mirrors Without a Flat by Ross
- Ross Null Testing by Ceravolo
- Ross Null Tester by Doug
- Ross Null Products by Ceravolo
- Ross Null PCX Lenses by Edmund
- Ross Null PCX Lenses by Optics Online
- Swayze on the Ross Null Video by Pinbout
- Testing for Surface Accuracy
- Waineo's Spherical Null
Jay Drew's Ross Null Tester*
(With Thanks To SteveSwayze)
Interferometry
- Bath Interferometer by Anders
- Bath Interferometer by Berthold
- Interféromètre de Bath by GAP47 (French)
- Bath Interferometry Youtube Channel by George
- Bath Diagrammer/Calculator by George
- Bath Interferometer by Johan
- Bath Interferometry by Vladimir
- Bath Interferometer Set Up by Dale
- Bath Optical Alignment by Dale
- Ceravolo Interferometers
- Fizeau Interferometer DIY by Charles
- Interferogram Examples by Roland
- Interferometers for Sale
- Interferometry by il Grattavetro
- Interferometry Group at groups.io
- Oldham Optical
- Optical Formulae by Michael
- Optical Testing by Johan
- Point Diffraction Interferometer by Michael
- Télescope Simulation Optique Interférométrie
- Vladimir Galogaza Website
Couder Masks & Pin Sticks
Spherometers & Edge Testers
- DIY Spherometer by Gordon
- DIY Sphero Calibration by Gordon
- Measuring the Radius by Gordon
- Novel Spherometer Design by Richard
- Spherometer by Berthold
- Spherometer by Jan
- Spherometers by Laurie
- Spherometers by Mike
- Spherometer Calculator
Compound Optics
Caustic Testing
- No current links but we're looking.
Star Testing
- Adjustment & Testing of Objectives (1921)
- Artificial Star Distance Calculator by Mel
- Basic Star Testing by Stephen
- Dedicated Star Test Scope by Berthold
- Les Tests Visuels (French)
- Star Testing
- Star Testing by Jeff
- Star Testing by Mel
- Star Testing Complex Systems
- Star Test Equipment by Doug
- Star Testing Refractors by Roland
- Star Testing Tips by PJ
- Why Aren't My Stars Round by Mike
Optical Quality
- Stellafane Guide To Mirror Quality
- Definition & Light Grasp by Jack
- Four Lessons in Mirror Testing by Mike
- Introduction to Mirror Quality by Dick*
- Mirror Quality I by Dick* (2nd video on page)
- Mirror Quality II by Dick*
- On Testing & Rating by Roland
- Optical Quality by Mel Bartels
- Strehl Ratio by Vlad
- Testing Optical Quality
- What's Important by John Lightholder
- Zambuto's Seven Criteria
Collimation
- Adjustment & Testing of Objectives (1921)
- Adventures in Collimation by Bryan
- Andy's Movie For Non-Gazillionaires
- Artificial Antares by Carlos
- Artificial Star by Achim
- Collimating Binoculars by Ed
- Collimating Your Telescope by Jeff
- Collimation Video by Obin
- Nil's FAQ translated to Dutch by Jan
- Front Collimating Cell by Joseph
- How To Collimate A Laser Collimator
- How To Align Your Newtonian by Nils
- It's Cool To Be Square
- Motorized Collimation by Ben
- New Perspectives in Newtonian Collimation
- Addendum to New Perspectives by Vic
- South Cave Collimating System by Peter
- Treatise on Newtonian Collimation by Scott
Other Optical Testing Info
- Adaptive Optics Tutorial
- Amateur Telescope Optics by Vladimir
- Astigmatism Testing by Jeff
- Astronomical Optics I by Bruce
- Astronomical Optics II by Bruce
- Astronomical Optics III by Bruce
- Astronomical Optics IV by Bruce
- Coatings and Obstructions
- Different Tests for Different Defects
- Fiber Optic Light Source by Ed
- Flex Mirrors by Alan
- Flex Mirror Thread on CN
- How Pyrex is Made
- Le Test de Roddier (French)
- Motorized Test Stand by Ed
- Oldham Optical Testing Overview
- Optical Applications by Edmund
- Optical Shop Testing by Berthold
- Optics For Beginners by Andrew
- Properties of Optical Substrates
- Quartz Substrate Testing by Mike
- Reflecting Telescope Optics I by Wilson
- Reflecting Telescope Optics II
- Slit Image Test by Bill
- Testez vos Optiques (French)
- Testing an Optical Flat in Water by Ed
- The Spot Test by John
- Strain Testing in the Digital Age by Mike
- Strain Testing With Polarized Light
- Testing Astronomical Optics by John
- Thoughts on Focal Ratio by John
- Top 10 Ways to Improve A Newtonian
- Unknown Optical Glass Options
- Why You Should Look At the Back
Optical Design and Analysis Software
Optical Design Software
- ATMOS
- CassDesign2 by Mike
- Cassegrain Ray Trace Simulation
- OpTaliX
- OSLO
- Stellar Software
- SYNOPSYS
- Zemax
Fringe Analysis Software
Mask & Zone Calculation
Test Reduction Software
- Stellafane Software Page
- Figuring Notebook by GAP47
- Foucault Software by Etienne
- mil-lac.zip by Stephen
- Parab by Tom
- PrintaRonchi by Tom
- Ratdata Foucault
- Ronchi For Windows
- Ronchi For Windows
FigureXP Foucault Data Reduction Program
Telescope Design Software
Newtonian Design
- Newt-Web by Ken*
- Stellafane Diagonal Mirrors
- Bi-Newt Designer
- BinoPlan by Glenn
- Diagonal Sizer by Mel Bartels
- Diagonal Size Chart by Michael
- Folded Newtonian Calculator by Mel
- Newtonian Planner
- Newtonian Reflecting Telescope Calculator
- Sagitta to Focal Length Calculator
- Newtonian Scope Design Planner
- Reflecting Telescope Optimizer Suite by Mel
- Sec by Alan
- Sizing Up Newtonian Secondaries
- Telescope Calculator by Ken
- Telescope Formulas and Design Comparator
Compound Telescope Design
- Cassegrain Calculations by Laurie
- Cassegrain Design Spreadsheet
- Cassegrain Forumlae by Mike
- Schmidt Corrector Simulation
Tilted Component Design
Mirror Cell Design
- Cell.zip by David
- Mirror Cooling Calculator
- Mirror Edge Support Calculator
- Plop Mirror Cell Designer (PLate OPtimizer)
Optical Formulae
- Astronomical Formulae / Formulae for Telescopes
- ATM Math by Jim
- ATM Math by Michael
- Circular Arc Calculator
- Conics & Abberations
- Diopter Calculator by Mel
- Formula Finder by OpticiansFriend
- Optics Formulas by Newport
- Optics.zip by Stephen (Math)
- Sagitta Calculator
- Sagitta Calculator by SPAC
- Sagitta to Length Calculator
- Virtual Optics Bench
Miscellaneous Software
- Bahtinov Focusing Mask Generator
- BiNewt Designer by Eric
- BiNewt Designer Source Code by Eric
- Circular Membrane Simulation
- Computers In Astronomy
- Cutlist Program
- Dob Center of Balance Spreadsheet by Mike
- Equatorial Platform Spreadsheet (link in page)
- EZ3D Designer by Tom
- Flex by Alan
- Graphical Ray Tracing by Edmund Sci
- Limiting Magnitude Calculator
- MirrorMesh 3D
- Mirror Slumping Calculator by Mel
- Platform Program by Jan
- Polishing Simulator by Martin
- Roddier for Windows
- Round Tube Deflection Calculator
- Spherometer Calculator
- Spring Counterweights by Stephen
Optical Tube Assembly Components
3-D Printing
- The Mother of All 3-D Printing Strings
- 3D Model Plans by Printables
- Can You Print a Telescope? by Astronomy Mag
- 3D Print Your Astrophoto Rig by NebulaPhotos
Focusers
- Stellafane Plumbing Parts Focuser
- 5" Focuser by Goldfinger
- Brass Focuser by Jon
- Crayford by Jan
- Crayford by Steve
- Crayford Focuser by Tom
- DIY Focuser by Asif
- DIY Moto Focuser
- DIY Servo Motor Focuser
- Fine Adjust Focuser by Joe
- Jiffy Focuser by Gene
- Motorized Sliding Focuser by Berthold
- Non-rotating Helical Focuser by Don
Taki's Crayford - Remote Focusing Using Servos
- Sliding Focuser by Berthold
Spiders & Diagonal Holders
- Stellafane Curved Vane Holder
- Corrugated Sine Spiders by Ed
- Curved Vane Holder by Gary
- Hacksaw Spiders by Laurie
- One Way to Make a Spider by Guy
- Secondary Mounts with Built In Offset
- Secondary Offset Study by Mel
- Wire Spider
- Wire Spider by Andreas
Mirror Cells
- Stellafane's Build A Mirror Cell
- 6-Point Aluminum Mirror Cell
- CassegrainCell with Baffling by Richard
- Center Pivot Cell by Ben
- Coulter Cell Makeover
- Flotation Cell by Ben
- Mirror Cell Video
- Mirror Cell by JSP
- Modifying Mirror Cell for Conical Mirror by deSitter
- Redesign by Laurie
- Simple Double Plate Cell by Gary
- Star Cell for Conical Mirror by Vincent
- Wooden Cell by Jack
- Wooden Mirror Cell by Mac McAvoy
Mac McAvoy's Wooden Mirror Cell
Other Components
- Barn Door Trackers
- Dew Heaters
- Eyepieces
- Finder Scopes
- Fun With Fans
- Tubes & Trusses
- Observing Chairs & Seats
- 3D Printed Parts & Plans
Uncategorized Goodies
- All-Sky Meteor Camera by Chris
- A Telescope Dolly by Bruce
- Backyard Telescope Pier by Andrew
- Brouette de Transport by Pierre
- Camera Adapters by Richard
- Cardboard Tubes by Laurie
- Cantilever Tube Design by Ben
- Dobsonian Setting Circles
- Eyepiece Bag by Rod
- Focal Length Test Rig
- Foam-Lined Case by Michael
- Green Laser by Rod
- Key Reel Red Light Keeper by Rod
- Filter Wheel DIY
- Lowbrow Bearings
- More Power, Scotty!
- Photometer by Dominic-Luc
- Pillar For Astrophotography by Armin
- Portable Observing Hutch by Dennis
- Radial Spectometer Coronagraph by Patta
- Red LED Desk Lamp by Andrew
- Shroud Made by Akkana
- Solar Filter Cell by MAC
- Solar Forge by Woodware
- Slow Motion Controls by Nick
- Upper Tube Assembly Thoughts by Ben
- WebCam Mods Video
Telescope Mount Construction
Dobs and Other Alt-Az Mounts
- Stellafane Build a Dobsonian Pages
- Alt Az Initiative
- Alt Az Pipe Mount by Ging-Li
- Construction d'un Telescope Altazimutal (French)
- Construction of a 15" Dob by Jim
- Dobsonian Evolution
- Dobsonian Tips by Jan
- Easy Alt-Az Mod by Rod
- How Much Should Ultralights Weigh?
- How To Build a Dobsonian
- How To Make A Truss Dob by Reiner
- Improved Rocker Box Pads by Andrew
- Inexpensive EL Mount by Terry
- Kid Peek 60mm by Rod
- Moonsilver Series Notes by Ross
- New Bearing Laminates by Ross
- New Drive for a 28" by Howard
- Novel Alt Az Mount for RFT by Jan
- Pier Design by Dennis
- Portable Newtonian Telescopes by Albert
- Powered Ground Board by Robert
- Simple A-Frame Tripod by Gavin
- Simple Stable Mount by Ed
- Single Pole Mount Scaling
- So Why A Truss Dob? by John
- Sphere Mount by Norman
- Sturdy Wood Tripod by Chauveau
- SudiBalls
- SudiBall Design pdf
- Super Alt-Az by Richard
- Super Simple Tripod by Dave
- Telekit Construction by Stacey
- Tripod Dollie by Matt
- Truss to String Tube Conversion by Don
- Various Dobs by Armin (German)
- Vermont Astro Society Telescope Workshop
- Weightless Oak Mount by Allen
David Groski's Schupmann*
On A Berry-Style Alt-Az Mount
German Equatorial Mounts
- 16" GEM by Michael
- Construction Notes for a GEM by Chris
- Design a GEM by Jeff
- DIY Homemade GEM
- Equatorial Dob by Gizmologist
- Eye of Newt by Mack & Maggie
- Fullerscopes Telesscopes Mountings by Chris
- GEM by Chriske
- German Equatorial is Alive by Allan
- Hargreaves Strut by Shevill
- Pipe Fitting GEM by Mac
- Pipe Mount Links
- Poor Man's Paramount by Bolton Group
- Transportable GEM by Brian*
- Waterpipe GEM by Arjan
- Wedge Design by Gene
- Woodware Designs Simple Plans
Larry Brown's German Equatorial
Old-School Pipe Mount Beauty
Equatorial Platforms
- Design Spreadsheet by Jan
- Dual Cylinder with Floating South by Don
- Equatorial Imitation Game by Mel
- Equatorial Platform for $29.50 by Ed
- Equatorial Platform Part I by Ed
- Equatorial Platform Part II by Ed
- Equatorial Platforms by Howard
- EzCBP Platform Is Really Easy by Michael
- Floating South Mount
- Fluid System by Dann
- Large Platform by Mike
- Links by MAC
- Low Profile Table by David
- Parametric 3D Platform by aeropic
- Platform by Andre
- Platform by Andre
- Platform by Jan
- Platform by Jan
- Platform by Jan
- Platform by Jean-Pierre
- Platform by Gene
- Platform by Mike
- Platform by Proberson
- Platform by Reiner
- Plateforme équatoriale by Pierre (French)
- Roller Blade Bearings
- Three Axis Mounts by Mel
- Tilted Equatorial Tables by Mel
- Tripod Version by Chris
- Two Cylinder Platform by Don
- Two Sector Platform by Jan
Split Ring Mounts
- Equatorial Horseshoe by Ben
- Older Split Ring
- Pale Hale 12.5 by Ben
- Split Ring by Willie in SA
Nathan Spaulding's Split Ring Mount
at the 2001 Stellafane Convention
Binocular Telescopes & Bino Mounts
- Bino Telescopes
- Binocular Mounts
-
Gary Frishkorn's Binoculars
at the 2006 Stellafane Convention
Digital Setting Circles
- Build Your Own Digital Setting Circles
- Digital Setting Circles, Pt. 1: Single Encoder Version
- Digital Setting Circles, Pt. 2: Dual Encoder Version
- DIY Digital setting circles (CloudyNights thread)
Scope Drives
- Alcor Drive by Michael
- Alcor by Michael
- Building a DS Powered Mount by Steve
- Control of Stepping Motors by Douglas
- DIY Arduino GOTO
- Don's Computerized Telescope
- Go To Telescope Mounts by Steve
- Motorizing a 12" by Jan
- New Drive for a 28" by Howard
- Printed Circuit Board by Berthold
- Rebuilding a Clark Drive by Allen
- Scope Drive Nirvana
- Sidereal Technology
- Wii Telescope Control Video
Building Techniques
- Working Aluminum
- Baffling
- Tripods
- Curve Generation
- Working Wood
- Working Composites
- Working Fiberglass
- Vacuum Bagging
- Miscellaneous
- 3D Warehouse by Pinbout
- Beefing Up Tripod Legs by Collin
- Design of Large Telescopes
- Eyeball Engineering Rules of Thumb
- How Large Should I Build?
- Machine Shop & Optical Lab by Richard
- Metal Casting by Gizmologist
- Milling Table Attachment
- Mini Lathe Workshop by Tom
- Quantum Lathe Mod by Berthold
- Reinventing the Wheel by Jonathan
- Spitshine Polish by Mladen
- Table for Calculating Balance Point
- Table for Calculating Truss Stiffness
- Telescope Vibration by Mel
- Threading on a Mini Lathe
- Tipps & Tricks (German)