Building your own telescope might seem a little bit intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Using telescope kits, you can build a functional telescope to help you view the night sky. It's not hard – just get the right kit and follow the instructions.
There are two major types of optical telescopes. The first is the refracting telescope, and is probably what comes to mind when telescopes are mentioned. It uses lenses to capture and focus light, bringing an image closer. These telescopes have to be carefully aligned, and are hard to build or expensive to buy. However, they're not the only kind available.
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors in place of the lenses, and don't require quits as careful adjustment. They're also a lot less costly, making them ideal for amateur astronomers, whether you buy one, or want to build your own. Some people have even made them without using telescope kits, out of pieces of porthole glass and old building materials. However, for most people, a kit is a good place to start, since it allows you to have all the pieces and instructions you'll need.
Before you assemble your telescope kit, make sure that you have everything you need, including primary and secondary mirrors, lenses, and an eye piece, as well as the focuser. A good telescope kit will also contain a manual to tell you, step by step, how to put it together. If anything is missing, contact the manufacturer or the store you bought your kit from right away. You can buy kits either at a local store or online, but be sure that online retailers have a good return policy. Don't let yourself get stuck with the wrong kit or one that doesn't have all the parts. Protect yourself by doing lots of research before you buy, especially if your purchase is online.
If you're an amateur astronomer who'd love to have a telescope of your own, but buying a preassembled one is a little too expensive, a telescope kit might be the right solution. They're also great for people who love to do it themselves. If you like assembling your own telescope, you could even go on to building one from scratch. People have been doing this for a long time, and it's a great way to get a low cost telescope with a large aperture. However, diving straight in probably isn't the best idea. If you're a do it yourselfer, try a telescope kit first, and get the hang of building your own astronomical equipment.
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