Amateur astronomy used to be associated with making your own telescope. Stellafane in Vermont still pays homage to the art of telescope making and is approaching its 90th year. However, with the availability of mass produced mirrors, lenses, and complete telescopes, the interest in telescope making has waned. But all things are cyclic, and that may also include a renewed interest in grinding your own mirror and making your own telescope.
If the opportunity to make your own telescope intrigues you, or maybe you are just interested in learning about the process many amateurs used to get a larger telescope, join us for our July fundamentals. NAA member, Chris Almanza, will provide a brief overview of why you might want to build your own telescope, including grinding your own mirror. The fundamentals talk will provide general information about the planning and process involved with building a Dobsonian (Reflector) Telescope.
February ’26 Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little Observing All month: the planets have abandoned the morning sky. In the evening, Jupiter continues to dominate the scene like a playground bully, overpowering Uranus (who...
January ’26 Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little Observing All month: nearly half the planets are on vacation this month, hidden from sight in the Sun’s glare. Mercury might still be a viable (but difficult) target New...
December ’25 – Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reasonto Get Outside and Do a Little Observing All month: the sunrise sky becomes a less lively place this month, as Venus ends its long morning apparition and joins Mars in the solar glare as they both head...
November ’25 – Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little Observing November 2025 All month: the solar system favors the evening this month. Mercury sets at least 30 minutes after the Sun from Nov 1-14, on its way to inferior conjunction on...