40$ USB super telescope, easy to make, sees craters on the moon

Step 6 Demonstration 3: The Moon!

Here are 2 pictures of the moon.

You can easily see craters and mountains.

I hope you enjoyed this project!

Hanzablast

Comments

[JohnnyVegas]

I'm looking to build something similar to zoom in on small objects from about 8-10" away with live video through USB.

Would this lens and setup work for this purpose? If not what lens would do the trick?

[cleage001]

Throw a portal at the moon!
Woops. Spoiler.

[NCBob]

Simply awesome. I built this with a very cheap web cam and a Kiron 300 mm telephoto lense I had on my K-1000. At first I had the sensor WAY too far from the back of the lense, after re-reading the instructions I removed the majority of the distance and just holding it together and holding it by hand I was able to see some craters on the moon. I can't wait to get the right length PVC and make it permanent and also install it on the tripod I have. I only had the zoom at about 100mm and was seeing the moon in the entire screen. I also have a Clique HD webcam that I think I'll sacrifice for the final version, the cam I have now only has about 320x240 resolution, and only has 640x480 by interpolation. The Clique has native 1280x1024. As soon as I get it put together and have some pictures I'll definitely be posting them. Great instructable!!!!

[NCBob]

Here's my first pictures, I still have it just a hair too long so I need to cut it down just a bit so I can get good focus. http://public.fotki.com/NCBob/hobbies/astronomy/usb-telescope-v1/moon-first-pictures/

[charlessenf-gm]

Very nice job. Liked your video presentation. What did you use to record it?

[hanzablast]

Very primitive methods, its a 5 year old digital photo camera from sony which can also make video's (cybershot DSC-P72). I used moviemaker to make the video.