2024-2025

Delhi Public School,

Guwahati

PHYSICS
PROJECT
Topic: Astronomical
Telescope

Submitted by:
Name: Bhargavjyoti Borah
Class: XII Sec: A
Roll no.: 16622399
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude
to my Physics teacher Sir, Gautam Chaudhary, as well
as our principal, Mr Rajeev Purkayastha, who gave me
the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on
‘Astronomical Telescope’, which also helped me in
doing a lot of research and I came to know about so
many new things. I am really thankful to them.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and
friends who helped me a lot in finalising this project
within the limited time frame.
 INDEX Page no.

1. Abstract 01

2. Introduction 02
• Objectives of the Project

3. Theory 03-04

4. Materials Required 05

5. Methodology 06-07
• Lens Setup
• Assembly of the Telescope
• Alignment and Testing
• Moon Observation

6. Observations 08

7. Analysis 09

8. Conclusion 10

9. Future Scope 11

10. Applications 12

11. Photo Gallery 13-15

12. Bibliography 16
 1. ABSTRACT
This project focuses on building a simple
refracting telescope using a 2.5 mm lens as the
eyepiece and a 0.50 mm lens as the objective to
observe the Moon. The aim is to explore the
basic principles of telescopes, including image
formation and magnification, and to assess the
telescope’s ability to provide a view of celestial
objects. The model demonstrates how optical
instruments can be used for astronomical
purposes, even with minimal resources.

01
 2. INTRODUCTION
Telescopes have been essential tools in astronomy
for centuries, allowing humans to observe distant
celestial bodies. This project seeks to construct a
basic refracting telescope to observe the Moon,
using simple lenses to understand how telescopes
work and their limitations. The study emphasizes
practical application and exploration of the optical
principles behind telescopic observation.

Objectives:

1. To construct a refracting telescope using a 2.5

mm lens and a 0.50 mm lens.
2. To observe and document features of the Moon,
such as craters and maria.
3. To explore the challenges and limitations of
using small lenses in telescopic observations.

02
 3. THEORY
The telescope is used to provide angular
magnification of distant objects. It also has an
objective and an eyepiece. But here, the objective
has a large focal length and a much larger
aperture than the eyepiece. Light from a distant
object enters the objective and a real image is
formed in the tube at its second focal point. The
eyepiece magnifies this image producing a final
inverted image. The magnifying power m is the
ratio of the angle b subtended at the eye by the
final image to the angle a which the object
subtends at the lens or the eye.
Terrestrial telescopes have, in addition, a pair of
inverting lenses to make the final image erect.
Refracting telescopes can be used both for
terrestrial and astronomical observations.

03
The main considerations with an astronomical
telescope are its light gathering power and its
resolution or resolving power. The former clearly
depends on the area of the objective. With larger
diameters, fainter objects can be observed. The
resolving power, or the ability to observe two
objects distinctly, which are in very nearly the
same direction, also depends on the diameter of
the objective. So, the desirable aim in optical
telescopes is to make them with objective of large
diameter. The largest lens objective in use has a
diameter of 40 inch (~1.02 m). It is at the Yerkes
Observatory in Wisconsin, USA. Such big lenses
tend to be very heavy and therefore, difficult to
make and support by their edges. Further, it is
rather difficult and expensive to make such large
sized lenses which form images that are free from
any kind of chromatic aberration and distortions.

04
 4. MATERIALS REQUIRED
1. Lenses:
• Convex lens with a focal length of 0.50 mm
(objective lens).
• Convex lens with a focal length of 2.5 mm
(eyepiece lens).
2. Tube Assembly:
• Two PVC or cardboard tubes (one larger for the
objective lens and one smaller for the eyepiece
lens).
3. Support System:
• Tripod stand or stable mount (optional but
recommended for steady observations).
4. Miscellaneous:
• Lens holders, adhesive, and clamps for securing
the lenses.
• Notebook and pen for recording observations.

05
 5. METHODOLOGY
1. Lens Setup:
• Mount the 0.50 mm lens securely at one end of
the larger tube to serve as the objective lens.
• Mount the 2.5 mm lens at one end of the smaller
tube to serve as the eyepiece lens.

2. Assembly:
• Align the smaller tube with the larger tube,
ensuring that both lenses are along the same
optical axis.
• Insert the smaller tube into the larger one so that
the distance between the lenses can be adjusted
for focusing.

3. Alignment and Testing:

• During daylight, point the telescope at a distant
terrestrial object (e.g., a tree or building) to test
alignment and focus.
• Adjust the distance between the lenses until the
image appears sharp.

06
4. Moon Observation:
• At night, position the telescope on a tripod or
stable surface to point at the Moon.
• Adjust the eyepiece distance to bring the Moon
into focus.
• Observe the Moon’s features and document any
visible details such as craters, maria, and the
overall shape.

07
 6. OBSERVATIONS
• The telescope provided a basic but functional
view of the Moon.
• Some details, such as large craters and maria,
were discernible under good weather and light
conditions.
• Image clarity was limited due to the small size of
the objective lens, which restricted light collection.
• The telescope produced an inverted image,
consistent with the nature of refracting telescopes.

08
 7. ANALYSIS
The telescope effectively demonstrated the basic
principles of light collection, refraction, and
magnification. However, the small aperture of the
objective lens resulted in low brightness and
limited detail in the observed image. Despite
these limitations, the Moon’s major features were
identifiable, proving the functionality of the
model.

09
 8. CONCLUSION
The project successfully achieved its goal of
constructing a simple astronomical telescope and
using it to observe the Moon. Although the
telescope had limitations due to the small lenses, it
provided valuable insights into the principles of
telescope design and operation.

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 9. FUTURE SCOPE
1. Improved Design: Use larger lenses with greater
apertures for better light collection and image
clarity.
2. Additional Features: Incorporate a finder scope
and a more stable mount for easier alignment and
observation.
3. Expanded Observations: Explore other celestial
objects such as planets, stars, and constellations
with improved designs.

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 10. APPLICATIONS
This project serves as an introductory exploration
into optical physics and astronomy, providing a
foundation for further study. It demonstrates the
potential of simple materials to create functional
scientific tools, fostering interest in the fields of
optics and space science.

This project combines creativity, resourcefulness,

and scientific inquiry, making it a valuable
educational experience for students and amateur
astronomers.

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 11. PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of the moon through a telescope

Working of a telescope

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 Some telescopes with their names:

Space Voyage 130EQ Saxon 1149EQ Newtonian

Newtonian Telescope Reflector Telescope

TS-PHOTON 12” F5
Space Launcher 114mm
Advanced Newtonian
Reflector Telescope
Telescope
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World’s Largest Telescope- The European Southern
Observatory's (ESO) Extremely Large Telescope
(ELT)

India’s Largest Telescope- 3.6m Devasthal Optical

Telescope

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 12. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
[Link]
5. NCERT Textbook

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