Making - A Refractor Telescope Norman Remer Pdf 12 New

Lens cell: Rigid cell with axial and radial supports; allow ~0.1–0.3 mm centration adjustment. Use silicone or thin-shim packing for athermal mounting.

Stop and baffling: Internal knife-edge baffles every ~0.3–0.5 m; external dew shield ~1.1× objective diameter.

Field flattener: For imaging, plan for a 3–4 element flattener or dedicated focal reducer designed to the optical prescription.

Trade-offs:

I cannot provide, link to, or help locate unauthorized PDF copies of this book. If you want the content:

If you need a specific diagram or procedure from the book, I can explain the general principle based on known ATM techniques – just ask.

Norman Remer’s " Making a Refractor Telescope: How to Design, Grind, Polish, Test, Correct and Mount a Doublet Lens

" is widely considered the definitive manual for amateur telescope makers (ATMs) looking to move beyond simple reflectors. Published by Willmann-Bell, it demystifies the process of creating a doublet lens, a task long perceived by many hobbyists as nearly impossible. Breaking the Myth of Difficulty

Traditionally, amateur astronomy has been dominated by the Newtonian reflector because mirrors are easier to produce than lenses. Remer’s essay and book challenge this by showing that the spherical surfaces required for a refractor are actually simpler to finish than the parabolic curves needed for high-quality mirrors. While a refractor requires finishing more surfaces (four for a doublet), the tolerances for surface deformation are often more relaxed than for mirrors. The Core of Remer’s Approach

Remer focuses on the achromatic doublet, which uses two different types of glass (typically crown and flint) to cancel out chromatic aberration—the annoying "rainbow" fringes that occur when different wavelengths of light don't focus at the same point. making a refractor telescope norman remer pdf 12 new

Design & Calculation: The book includes specialized software (originally on a CD-ROM) to help builders calculate the exact radii and thicknesses needed for their glass.

The Grinding Process: He provides step-by-step coaching on using rudimentary tools and common abrasives to grind the glass into the correct spherical shape.

Correction and Testing: A critical part of his methodology involves identifying and removing "wedge" (uneven thickness) early in the process, which ensures the final lens is perfectly aligned. Why an f/12 Focal Ratio?

The "12" in your query likely refers to a f/12 focal ratio. In refractor building, a longer focal ratio like f/12 is often recommended for beginners because it:

Reduces Aberrations: It naturally minimizes chromatic aberration compared to "faster" (shorter) telescopes.

Increases Tolerance: Longer focal lengths are more forgiving of minor manufacturing errors in the lens curves. Lens cell: Rigid cell with axial and radial

For those starting out, Remer’s guide is often paired with practical resources from First Light Optics or community-driven forums like Cloudy Nights, where seasoned makers discuss his specific designs. Are you planning to build a specific f-ratio telescope, or Making a Refractor Telescope | First Light Optics

If you are looking to build a refractor, this is the correct book to have. However, you will likely need to purchase a physical copy, as a digital PDF version is not officially distributed. If you were looking for his specific math on mirror figuring, you likely want to search for "Norman Remer 8-inch mirror spreadsheet" rather than "12".

The book you are looking for is Making a Refractor Telescope: How to Design, Grind, Polish, Test, Correct and Mount a Doublet Lens

by Norman Remer, originally published in 2006 by Willmann-Bell.

While the full PDF is not legally available for free download due to copyright, you can find the book and related resources through these official channels: 📖 Book Details & Purchase

Availability: You can purchase new or used copies from retailers like Amazon and AbeBooks. Trade-offs:

Content: Spanning 408 pages, it covers the entire process of building an achromatic doublet lens from scratch.

Bonus: The hardbound edition typically includes a CD-ROM with Excel spreadsheets for refractor design programs. 🔍 Related Resources

Digital Lending: The book is listed on Open Library, where you may be able to borrow a digital copy if available.

Community Discussion: For practical advice from others who have used Remer's methods, the Cloudy Nights ATM Forum is a highly active resource for amateur telescope makers.

General Guides: If you need a basic introduction to refractor mechanics, the American Museum of Natural History provides a simple PDF guide on building a basic refracting telescope using simple materials.

💡 Key Takeaway: Making a refractor lens is similar in practice to making a telescope mirror, though it requires finishing more surfaces (all of which are spherical). If you'd like, I can help you: Find suppliers for glass blanks or abrasives. Explain the difference between doublet and triplet lenses.

Look for refractor design software alternatives if you don't have the book's CD.

That said, here is a review of the book itself based on the actual content and reputation among amateur telescope makers (ATMs).