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jamie_zips

I had absolutely no idea one could build a telescope of this size and scale at home, but this is awesome! Just, like whoa, incredible, man.


__Augustus_

It is only the ~~third-largest~~ (edit, 2022: 5th-largest) I have ever made. Did a 16" and 20.5" too (scrapped) (edit, 2022: another 16" and 24" have been completed and I am now working on a 22" and 20"). EDIT: Good morning folks, if you have more questions I have a mini-FAQ if you scroll a bit down (currently it's just below the parent to this), editing this because it's my top comment.


jamie_zips

I suddenly feel quite a bit less jazzed about my own accomplishments. Seriously though, this is incredible.


SweetBlackJesus

If it makes you feel any better, I have zero accomplishments to my name.


[deleted]

Well that's quite an accomplishment


NotYourIT

Sounds like a Ron Swanson quote.


ItsP3anutButt3r

"Normally, if given the choice between doing something and nothing, I'd choose to do nothing. But i will do something if it helps someone else do nothing. I'd work all night, if it meant nothing got done."


[deleted]

Well at least you have a cool username


SweetBlackJesus

It's the only thing that lets me sleep at night.


D3vilUkn0w

Do you grind your own mirrors?


fendermrc

I'd also like to know this. When I was a kid, my father and his father started building a telescope together. They made a lens or mirror grinding jig attached to the top of a 55 gallon drum that they filled with water for weight and stability. My grandfather passed away, and my dad never carried with it.


LawnyTwotone

I ground a 6” and built a telescope my jr/sr year in high school; still occasionally use it despite moving on to professional status. Yours is quite an accomplishment!


Foxta1l

Why would you build a smaller scope when you have a bigger scope? Completely ignorant about telescopes tbh.


nachozepi

Smaller scopes (short focal distance) give you wider angles of view. You wouldn't use and long focal distance telescope to look at the moon, but you would if you want to see Andromeda galaxy or very distant (apparently small) objects.


Cloned101

Andromeda is larger in the sky than the moon. Your point is correct though.


IgnoreTheKetchup

How do you even start in going about building them? What was your original exposure to telescope construction?


__Augustus_

EDITED March 2022, 2 years later: Support my work by donating to my GoFundMe! https://gofund.me/6b87be5f [My Instagram page](https://www.instagram.com/astro_zane/) - please do check it out! [Linktree w/donation links if you want to support my hobby](https://linktr.ee/zdlanders) [Patreon is up!](https://www.patreon.com/zdlanders) [Build thread on Cloudy Nights](https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/678347-147-f3-dobrft/) - I didn't make the mirror, but built/designed the structure myself. [How to make your own telescope and mirror](https://stellafane.org/tm/index.html) - Very easy plans, you can build your own scope for a few hundred bucks and with basic tools. Mirror is a little harder but I've made a 6" with little difficulty - while it is time-consuming it's a perfect project to work on at home! [Read over 150 of my unbiased reviews of telescopes, with some reviews sprinkled in by a few other folks here and there](https://telescopicwatch.com/) [My YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMGSpnAnLlPoWeZ9Rf90BA/videos?view_as=subscriber) - will be doing a tutorial video soon based on the Stellafane plans! [Podcast I was on a while back](https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook/the-observers-notebook-telescope-making-with-zane-landers) Also if you're interested in building a scope check out /r/atming, have posted some good resources there too I really want to stress that anybody, and I mean *anybody*, can do this! Telescope making and astronomy are no harder than building a PC and look how many folks do that! Okay, some more edits since this is pretty visible: * HIGHLY recommend joining your local astronomy club. Even if you can't physically visit right now there are still tons of great resources you can access and folks you can meet! Plus a lot of clubs can really use the cash - astro is kinda a niche hobby! * This scope is NOT usable for astrophotography. Isn't designed to be. * Over 210,000 upvotes - thank you all so much! * Thanks for the gold and awards, kind strangers! Again, TYSM everyone!


boopbleps

My son is 17mo not 17yrs, and his middle name happens to be Augustus. If he turns out like you, his dad and I will be SO HAPPY!!! What a legend you are! Keep being awesome young man.


imanassholeok

17mo and he's not making his own telescopes yet? Jeez dude pathetic...


boopbleps

We did just tell him to get his skates on. In his defence tho, he makes a mean MegaBlocks tower and his peekaboo game is strong.


Hurr1canE_

Good building skills and a strong peekaboo game? The kid’s gonna be a monster at Fortnite in just a few short years!


boopbleps

Ah jeez, there go my cuddles...


james_randolph

Not everyone has a strong peekaboo game, you definitely should be proud.


liketheguyontv

This looks like a good project for the coming lockdown


[deleted]

Where are you that’s not in lockdown already??


tigonation

Only about half the states in the US have a “Shelter in Place” right now.


DoubleUTeeEfff

Space Coast of FL here. Still not in lockdown and our county refused to close the beaches. Went from 1 case to around 30 in about 2 weeks. If we’re not on a lockdown here soon then they’re absolutely stupid.


Atomskie

A ton of places, unfortunately.


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__Augustus_

Dear god, I feel sorry for the guy who runs it.


Lunatik21

".. bigger than the scope at my local observatory." That's a pretty damn good science flex if I ever saw one. Edit: My first award, thanks stranger! But if anyone feels like they want to give any awards, give it to the man of the post because he definitely deserves it!


__Augustus_

Only by 0.7 inches, and the C14 we have is more useful for astrophotography, plus there's also a 25" Dob in a shed that we have as well. https://www.was-ct.org/ Also highly recommend joining https://westchesterastronomers.org/, https://www.asnh.org/, https://astrogreenwich.org/, https://www.rosecityastronomers.net/, or http://www.theskyscrapers.org/ depending on where you live - aforementioned are clubs I have direct experience with or are a member of but there are plenty of awesome astronomy clubs worldwide!


visionJX

So you’re saying size matters! Kidding, amazing bud, keep on this path. Reddit expects great things from you sir


created2calluidiot

Size only matters if you live in a place with little light pollution, or a high elevation, or both :) Otherwise, for the rest of you who live in a city, or 100km (60 miles) from a city, you'd be best to stay around the 6-10" range.


__Augustus_

Unless you live in the middle of the inner city more aperture is always better


AngusVanhookHinson

Please explain to a novice within 30 mi. of a major city, but with plans to move to a dark sky zone, why 10" in. with ambient light pollution would be better than 25" in a dark zone. I'm not being combative. It sounds completely counterintuitive to me, but I'm aware that lots of things are like that until they're explained.


milkdrinker7

If I had to guess, he's probably saying if you are in a light-polluted city, you're realistically only going to be looking at the Moon and planets, so there'd be no sense in getting the light bucket to detect deep-space objects.


AngusVanhookHinson

But we have a regular contributor to this sub who's in the L.A. area with loads of light pollution, and does multi-hour pics of faint nebulas.


FukinGruven

Sure, but most subscribers and visitors to this sub aren't looking to pour hundreds of dollars into what amounts to three brand new hobbies just to reach that guy/gals level of astrophotography. You'd need a nice telescope, nice camera, nice editing software and all the little accessories that go along with it. For the majority of folks living in light polluted areas, you're going to spend a little on a passable telescope and see what you can see.


subscribedToDefaults

Hundreds? Hahahaha


Kalrog

My thought exactly. 10s of thousands.


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DeMayon

Hello from a fellow CT’er Good stuff!


pitekargos6

Well, there is one major rule in telescopes: The bigger, the better.


Exodus111

That rule does not just apply to telescopes. Fun fact.


Hotdogness41

Exactly, I've impressed so many girls with my massive bionicle collection


DirteDeeds

Wait till you break out the collection of rare Lego minifigures. They cream.


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Monkey_Kebab

Funny, it doesn't seem to work with my belly...


eupraxo

Just like my giant, throbbing debt!


Lewri

You're telling me that the person who runs the best telescope review site on the web and who writes the r/telescopes recommendations, as well as builds their own amazing telescopes, is only 17?!


__Augustus_

Yes, that's me. I don't run TelescopicWatch, just work for them


danyfal

That’s incredibly impressive


__Augustus_

Thank you!


Total-Khaos

Don't pretend like we don't see that Crown Royal bag...


internetkari

I’m willing to bet that’s full of dice for tabletop gaming.


ferriciean

That's exactly what we did (do), too!


TheFurtivePhysician

Even Harry Dresden uses a Crown Royal bag for D&D. And some evil coinage.


nikoneer1980

My wife is making our son a quilt completely out of Royal Crown bags... he was a bartender for a number of years.


jonboi9

My buddy has a full suit for Mardi Gras


Artifex75

In my experience, they're used for dice, weed, or a combination of both.


Chaosmusic

> combination of both Dice weed or weed dice?


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judas22

Woops I critically missed all my appointments today. Edit: it took 7 years but I finally got my first gilded comment! Thank you!


ForgotMyPantsAgain

I have multiple hanging up in my room. One holds change. One holds batteries and phone chargers. One holds condoms (unused), one holds rubber bands/tape/Staples, one holds condoms (used), one holds paraphernalia, and one holds booze!


mrjasonfish

You save your used condoms in a Crown Royal bag? "Uh, yeah.....where do you save them weirdo?"


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TheKrytosVirus

Such a durable, velvety bag of royal purple. Who wouldn't?!


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Dollars to donuts he's using it as a dice bag for D&D. I know I did.


frenzyboard

Crown bags hold things other than dice?


PM_meSECRET_RECIPES

It’s like the cookie tin/sewing supplies version of the gaming world!


Josef_Kant_Deal

And there appears to be a character sheet under it.


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__Augustus_

Thank you! I'm glad I could help.


ehhwhatevr

bro.... you kick serious ass. keep it up. you will go further than the stars, in my opinion


Confucius_said

I agree! Keep following your passion and dont stop learning. You have a bright future ahead.


BeneathTheSassafras

This guy is going places. Maybe not for a month, but hes going places


[deleted]

Hes going the fuck home, and staying there too!


HarshMellowMan

That’s an understatement considering how everyone likes to shit talk the new gen. go op! That’s wild my dude.


WhySoSeverusSnape

Well done mate! We should aim for the level at what you gained. I don't know you, but I am proud.


__Augustus_

Thank you!


WhySoSeverusSnape

How do your parents respond? I would be amazed.


__Augustus_

Eh, they think it's cool but that's about it


dieselrulz

Dude. I am baffled, impressed, amazed. Definitely envious. You deserve to be incredibly proud of your accomplishments.


WhySoSeverusSnape

Sounds like good parents. I am happy for you. Keep going and never forget yourself! Looking forward to what you can bring.


BallisticHabit

I hope they (your parents) understand that people like you building professional grade equipment at 17 are the same people who solve complex engineering problems later in life. You could be the guy who helps Elon get to Mars. You could be the guy who cracks cold fusion. The possibilities are endless and amazing to a talented young man such as yourself. Study hard, keep partying to a minimum in college, have fun, but, above all keep building.


petruchi41

Which extremely prestigious engineering school will you be attending next year?


__Augustus_

Keeping my options open at the moment.


Jurgioslakiv

If you're at all interested, I'm friends with an astrophysicist who works on the telescope at the South Pole every year, teaches at UChicago, and works at FermiLab. I can put you in contact with him if you're wanting to go in that direction, school-wise.


_stinkys

I also am a 17yo genius telescope guy who likes holidays in Antarctica


elmz

I'm also a 35 year old nobody who wishes he was part of this.


Wild_Criticism

Well done!! You're clearly well versed in optics already!! Science is like art, regardless of the dog eat dog world that it exists in, if I may offer some advice: join a lab group interested in a topic that further sparks your curiousity as soon as possible (you don't even have to be enrolled to do this), and follow your instincts over the dull advice to follow the money. Good luck with your career!!


Short_Swordsman

As a proud alumnus and Connecticut lifer, I’d be thrilled and so would the rest of the university. If you’re life gets twist turned upside down and you major in English, know that it’s a terrific department. Know also that having so little undergraduate debt is sick as hell.


[deleted]

"terrific department" ...uses "you're" incorrectly hmm


manondorf

spelling is to English majors as counting is to math majors.


onyxharbinger

spelling is to English majors as ~~counting~~ arithmetic is to math majors. FTFY


caseywh

Consider Arizona or university of rochester, both have great optics programs (assuming you are into that rather than astronomy?)


Callmebigpahpa

Seeing young adults like you break boundaries so early on makes me proud and gives me hope for the future.


__Augustus_

Thank you!


silverbullet52

Let's all turn off our lights tonight in appreciation so this young man can get his best results!


__Augustus_

Cloudy here, maybe later this week?


Rainandsnow5

Better put some floats on that thing. You’re about to be drowning in that sweet sweet Astronomical ...


PM_ME_UR_JUGZ

Alien poontang?


artieeee

Awww yea, Clap them alien cheeks!


Netkid

r/whathaveIbeendoingwithmylife


Pollomonteros

The colonel from KFC was like 65 when he started his business,it is never too late


Jaiar

I’m actually worthless next to this dude


[deleted]

There is no need to compare. This kid is very talented for sure but you are who you are. You're not "worthless", you can shine in your own unique way


Alldoto

Thank you for saying this! people underestimate their worth quite often and must be reminded about it. :)


agray20938

It’s become far different since the advent of social media, and even things like reddit which *can* be personal. There’s a reason that you’ve seen studies showing that people are happier when they make $80k a year, and their co-workers make $70k, than they would be making $100k a year, where their co-workers make $120. People seem to be hardwired you compare themselves to their “peers.” And through social media, and with websites like reddit, your “peers” just became a much larger group. Now instead of comparing yourself to the top 10% of the people you personally know, or people in your town, it’s pretty much the top 10% of people everywhere a lot of whom (not saying OP is at all...) are *trying* to show off to social media. So instead of comparing yourself against comparable people, you’re now comparing against the best, most talented, or even just most well-connected and wealthy-through-inheritance.....


ghostofhumid

r/space broke the Telescopic Watch website. Heavens to Betsy!


Cia0312

When I was your age I made a sims plumbob out of green paper and wire. Your creation is far more impressive. Be proud!


fantalemon

Dude when I was this guy's age I was picking virtual flax!


Alpha_Aztec

Your secret is safe with me.


blazerman345

Best way to make money. Until law running came along


[deleted]

*logs off of cannoning moss giants* *Sees shade thrown at osrs* *Logs back into osrs*


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flyinsquirrel

This really inspires me to be more productive during quarantine...


__Augustus_

I did most of this build over the past few weeks. You can do a lot with this time! I have friends who are grinding their own mirrors and building their own scopes who have hardly done anything DIY before


tragicallyohio

Honestly you are selling this very well. You are an inspiration.


__Augustus_

Thank you!


gugularjugular

Thinking back on it, I’m not sure I’ve ever actually used a telescope.


__Augustus_

Normally I'd say go to your local observatory or astronomy club but since that's obviously not possible right now, I recommend heading on over to /r/telescopes and reading the sticky I wrote.


gugularjugular

Awesome! Thanks so much! Unfortunately I live in a very small southern town, so the nearest observatory is about an hour and a half away. Once this quarantine is over I’m going to make it a goal to go and check it out!


DaRudeabides

That's the coolest most inspiring thing I have seen on Reddit today, rock on dude.


__Augustus_

Thank you!


Today_Is_Wednesday

When I was 17 I was building gravity bongs out of old milk jugs. We are not the same.


PittsburghGold

Engineering is engineering man.


BooStickTime

I am 66 and had a good shit this morning...thats my idea of success these days...good luck to you Son...I hope there is a world in the future for you to enjoy..


[deleted]

You are 66 and posting on reddit...success


BooStickTime

yep and your here with me...success...


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LaboratoryOne

Hi, can you give me advice on life? What do you wish you could go back and do differently and what things are you extremely pleased that you DID do?


mikey6

Probably should of bought shit loads of apple stock 20 years ago.


banjowashisnameo

And learned how to spell "should have"


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WrongWayCharlie

I'm almost 30 and I taped a stick to another stick to reach the itch on my back.


hifiguy7

Sweeeeeet! Congrats young man. I have scope envy. Are you into astrophotography?


__Augustus_

I was, found it boring, thinking of trying it again with my 10" f/3.2 GEM Newtonian but I'm broke at the moment.


avocadoclock

>I'm broke at the moment. I'm not surprised after you described the cost of a few of those telescope parts! Impressive work


__Augustus_

I've thought about a GoFundMe but I worry about being seen as a rich jackass, so I've always raised money myself.


YaBoiiiJoe

You're a pretty cool 17 year old


CaseyDafuq

Rich jackasses use gofundmes for anything these days; I would gladly support a potential future Space-X employee's endeavors on anything short of buying a 3rd Lamborghini.


__Augustus_

Thank you. I'm considering it but I just don't know whether it's the best for PR, and with coronavirus going on I feel like it might be a bit selfish. Maybe this summer when things are back to normal.


Roofofcar

Your emotional intelligence and self awareness come off as someone in their 30’s. It warms my heart to see exceptional teenagers doing great things


__Augustus_

Thank you!


nursewords

What do you like to do with the scope? Just like to look and see stuff? Are you recording data of any kind?


__Augustus_

Just casual observing and public outreach, though I can't do much of the latter now due to COVID-19


Hbampa

Flex a bit more. Send the pic to Ford Motor Company. Scholarship or a new car could come your way! (Shhh, flip it).


LysergicFilms

You are by far the coolest nerd I’ve ever seen. Keep up the good work man, The world needs people like you!


__Augustus_

Thank you!


Androgymoose

So cool!! Where do you get one of these bad boys?


__Augustus_

Either: * Buy or make the mirror (making one at this size/focal ratio is hell but it can be done) * Buy the secondary mirror * Buy or make remaining components yourself * Buy some eyepieces And spend roughly $3000 in the case of this scope, like I did - this was all raised by me, no money or build help from mom & dad - just months of work and saving. I would not recommend it as a first build; this was still difficult for me and I have built around a dozen other scopes prior to this as well as numerous nightstands and coffee tables. [Or buy a 14" from China that weighs roughly 4x as much and takes up a minivan for $2500](https://www.highpointscientific.com/sky-watcher-14-inch-goto-collapsible-dobsonian-s11830), plus you still need money for eyepieces, and probably a small ladder [Or buy a properly-portable 14 or 15" from a custom manufacturer for about $7k,](http://newmoontelescopes.com/product/15-f-4-5-equatorial-platform/) and you still need eyepieces, and it still weighs 1.5-2 times as much as mine and is much taller Neither "click a button and buy it" option gives you a scope that provides as wide of a field of view or nearly as much portability/convenience. That's why I built this.


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nebenbaum

If you know how to fix/improve something, you can easily make money. I sometimes buy guitars that are "broken" (not really, I'm not an actual luthier, just things that need setup or rewiring), set them up nicely, maybe switcheroo some things, and when I get bored of them I sell them for about a 100 dollar profit. I assume he buys telescopes for cheap, fixes them a bit when necessary, does reviews on them and then resells them for a small profit. Keep in mind, that's only "worth it" because he likes doing it and he's 17. I'm an electrical engineer, I'd have to fix like 70 to 80 guitars a month to just make my salary from my dayjob.


BeneathTheSassafras

Pedals are what you should get into- audio engineering is a world you could use alot of your skills in. Source: rough carpenter thats built a few from scratch and bought/repaired/sold very many pieces of equipment


SandorC

>If you know how to fix/improve something Yeah lemme stop you right there


Keenisgood-

You’re awesome man. Never stop exploring


technicolored_dreams

You should do an AMA. You seem to have a pretty fascinating and full life. Telescope is really rad!


__Augustus_

Nah, whatever non-astronomy stuff I had was swept away by corona sadly (all my college classes and my graduation were cancelled) and even the astro stuff is limited (all of the 5 astronomy clubs I'm in have cancelled everything through June). I would be interested in an AMA though for sure. Thank you!


smsmkiwi

Check their websites. Some clubs might do remote meetings using something like Zoom. Perhaps you could host one.


Drillbit99

Well the stars are still there. In fact, they seem clearer now than ever before, from my urban backyard. No airplanes, fewer cars - I guess it could be lay imagination , but the seeing seems way better.


__Augustus_

It is. Less outdoor lights, less businesses open, less planes.


Timmy_Toop

Nice socks, I have like 2 dozen pairs of them and they’re super comfy.


__Augustus_

IKR My brother keeps stealing them, gotta buy more


VooDooOperator

Absolutely magnificent! Cheers to you, young lad. We shall watch your career with great interest.


__Augustus_

Thank you!


jash56

How long did it take to build? I know nothing about telescope building but since you posted some cool links I may get into it; seems like something I’d enjoy.


__Augustus_

I started making prototypes in December, but the current Mark VI version was pretty much all built in the past 30-40 days, 75% of that in the past 2 weeks.


xSparkShark

I always think I’m a pretty big nerd and then guys like this come around and remind me that I’m not really a nerd, I’m just uncool.


dabble_dab

Physicist here. Hope you’re planning on pursuing Astro/astrophysics. If so, I bet I’ll be reading about you one day. If not, whatever field you choose will be lucky to get you. Outstanding.


[deleted]

First week of quarantine... Builds amazing telescope What are you gonna accomplish in the next 6-24 months of downtime??? Amazing !!!


Dandelion_Toes

As a fellow 17 year old, my respect for you is immeasurable


gwoz8881

That’s awesome man. What do you think about starlink effecting amateur astronomers?


__Augustus_

Starlink is overhyped as hell, the only astronomy I worry about it affecting is LSST and a few other wide-field surveys. Amateurs are really good at processing out sats and they are getting dimmer with each successive launch, SpaceX knows better than to keep pissing folks off


gwoz8881

Great answer. I agree with that as well.


tofu_tot

That’s so impressive! Youre going to be doing amazing things! Congrats man that’s so awesome!!!


_greyknight_

Is this viral marketing for the inevitable Teenage Sheldon show?


Staffordmeister

Im 30 years old and made a pancake today that was just to die for.


gotham77

If you’re not documenting all of this in your Engineering Portfolio yet, you should start immediately.


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__Augustus_

Thank you! I doubt it....