Astronomy NGOs create Kolkata’s “largest low-cost handmade telescope”

The telescope construction itself is a mixture of fiberglass, wooden, and metal — supplies rigorously chosen for his or her power and practicality.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Two teams in Kolkata associated to astronomy have created what they declare to be the biggest handmade telescope within the metropolis — a 14.5-inch f/5 Dobsonian that’s low-cost, highly effective, and straightforward to deal with.

Built by younger scientists and optical observers from Observational Astronomy Centre (OAC) and from Institute of Astronomy Space and Earth Science (IASES) the telescope, in keeping with the teams, will create a singular alternative for area analysis that can serve not simply educational circles however the society at giant.

“It embodies both craftsmanship and scientific ambition. The core of this telescope is its large parabolic primary mirror, which was painstakingly hand-ground and shaped in Kolkata — an extraordinary feat of optical engineering,” Sudipta Sasmal, co-founder and affiliate professor of IASES, mentioned.

He mentioned the origin of the mirror’s glass clean made it much more spectacular. “It was repurposed from a ship porthole salvaged from the Kandala shipyard, showcasing a brilliant example of upcycling for scientific advancement,” Dr. Sasmal mentioned.

The telescope was put in on the rooftop of the Shyambazar residence of Biswajit Bose, a major member of OAC and shut affiliate of IASES. “This initiative aims to make astronomy more accessible and ignite curiosity and scientific thinking in the wider community,” Mr. Bose mentioned.

Dr. Sasmal added, “This is not merely a personal or amateur project — it is intended for scientific application. It will be used for the study of bright variable stars, the follow-up observation of transient astronomical phenomena such as novae or supernovae, and detailed planetary observations. In addition to these scientific pursuits, the telescope will also play a vital role in science outreach. It is set to become a valuable tool for engaging and educating students from schools, colleges, and universities, igniting interest in observational astronomy and experimental science.”

About the craftsmanship, he defined that after the preliminary grinding and shaping, the mirror underwent effective sprucing and aluminisation in Delhi to attain the high-quality optical floor required for exact astronomical observations. The telescope construction itself is a mixture of fiberglass, wooden, and metal — supplies rigorously chosen for his or her power and practicality. Although it’s operated by hand, the telescope can observe celestial objects for a number of minutes, making it extremely practical for critical observational work.