Building a high-quality refractor telescope has long been considered an advanced feat reserved for master opticians. However, Norman Remer’s seminal book, demystifies this complex craft for the amateur enthusiast. The Core Philosophy of Norman Remer
Norman Remer's book was originally published by in 2006. While it has periodically gone out of print, copies can still be found through various channels:
: Housing the lenses in a tube, often reinforced with materials like fiberglass for durability, and painting the interior flat black to minimize internal reflections. making a refractor telescope norman remer pdf 12 new
: For builders who prefer not to design from scratch, Remer provides detailed prescriptions for lenses ranging from 3 to 8 inches in aperture . The Construction Process
: Attaching the finished lens into a cell and mounting the entire assembly on a stable base, such as an Altazimuth (AZ) mount for simple left-right and up-down movement. Availability: Finding the Book and Resources Building a high-quality refractor telescope has long been
Remer’s work serves as a "coach" for amateur telescope makers (ATMs), guiding them through the transition from making mirrors (for reflectors) to crafting doublet lenses. He argues that making a lens utilizes the same fundamental tools and practices as mirror making—namely grinding and polishing spherical surfaces.
: Specialized retailers like Agena Astro and First Light Optics have historically carried it. While it has periodically gone out of print,
: Community forums such as Cloudy Nights are excellent places to find advice from other builders who have used the book and may share resources or design spreadsheets.
