This is a 'do it yourself' course. Schools Orientated.

This kit allows individual teachers to train themselves in mirror making and
then instruct the students.  At the end of the course all teachers who participate
will have the individual skills to teach mirror making and testing and each school
will have one set of testing equipment, and software and notes that can be copied,
and their own 'Hot line support'.

A major advantage of this method is that the skill is retained by the teachers
at the school for future use and the start up cost is incurred once only.

The aim of the course is for science and technical teachers to be able to teach
the skills of parabolic mirror grinding, testing and polishing, having completed
their own mirror and having the relevant notes and equipment required for instruction.

On completion of the Train the trainer course, the teacher will have:

a)  a ground and polished, (but not aluminised) 200mm diameter mirror.

b)  the skill to make and instruct on parabolic mirror grinding, polishing and testing.

c)  teacher notes for background information and for identification of other areas
of science and mathematics used in astronomical work.

d)  student notes for mirror making and telescope construction.

e)  test equipment, both the physical apparatus and the computer software for
the Ronchi test.

f)  a 'One stop shop' source for all materials, services and components for
telescope construction.

TRAIN  THE  TRAINER  KIT  INCLUDES:

Student instruction notes
Mirror blank 200mm dia x 25mm
Tool 200m x 19mm
Sagitta depth gauge
Grinding compounds
Polishing compound 
Lap compound
Ronchi test equipment
PC software for parabolic
     wave pattern testing		8" (200mm)
12 month Hot-line phone support.	$499.00AUS



In addition to the initial Trainer Kit, a Student Kit will be required by
subsequent teachers so that they can complete the 'Train the Trainer' course.

STUDENT  KIT 8"(200mm)

Following the Trainer course, student kits can be purchased to enable a student
to complete a mirror under the guidance of the trainer and utilising the 
student notes and test equipment.

TELESCOPE BODY AND STAND SECTION 8"(200mm)

Tube
Swivel box assembly
Main mirror mount
Secondary mirror mount
Drawtube and eyepiece holder
Dobsonian pedestal mount 
Base assembly			$390.00AUS

TELESCOPE MIRROR MAKING SECTION 8"(200mm)

Mirror blank
Tool
Grinding compounds
Polishing compound
Lap compound
Aluminizing of mirror
Secondary mirror			$460.00AUS
Total  (Cost to student).   =		$850.00AUS

ADDITIONAL  TRAIN  THE  TRAINER  KITS 8"(200mm)

Teacher notes Student notes 
Ronchi tester
Test software
Sagitta gauge
12 month 'hot line' support		$254.00AUS

How hard is it?

Modern materials and easy-to-follow instruction make it possible.  Everything you
will need is in the kit, including notes, diagrams and the mirror tester.

What if I don't have any experience with
optics or mechanics?

That's OK, the kit presents you with a simple six step programme that takes
you through the mirror making process, and all you need to know about mounting
and aligning it in your completed telescope.

What will I have at the end?

You will have completed a 200mm F/8 Newtonian reflector with
Dobsonian mount.  Views of distant nebulae and binary stars, the craters and
mountains of the Moon, as well as the moons and belts of Jupiter and the rings
of Saturn, plus thousands more objects.

The BYOT kits have Hot-line support for any questions or problems you may have.

The kits are supplied to schools and are designed for 12 year olds and up.

If mirror grinding and polishing doesn't sound like your cup of tea, the
mirror can be purchased separately to the rest of the telescope kit.

For more information and details of telescope parts and prices, visit our web
site at:

	
Information is frequently requested about the BYOT kits or what is needed to build
a telescope to your own specifications using the variable parts available.  There
is a lot of areas people wish to know about when building a telescope.
These include:

- What's involved in grinding and polisshing the mirror?
- How big/long is the telescope when itt's finished?
- Can I have more detail of what can bee seen with one?
- What tools are needed to complete thee project?
- What if I get frustrated with the griinding process?
- Why this type of telescope?
- What the pros and cons of building yoour own telescope?

There is a lack of information available to telescope lovers in Australia.  This
Markets are far more developed in places like the UK and USA where the majority
of the population have viewed through a telescope before.  This is not the case
in Australia, although we are a high technological society.

So what I'm getting at is, when people wish to purchase a Build Your Own Telescope
kit is can be quite daunting for them.  To combat this we have available:

- Hotline support from the manufacturerrs or me which due to the excellent instruction
included in the kits isn't used much.

- Free viewing nights so people can loook through various types of telescopes with
explainations of their workings.  If outside South Australia, please contact
us for you local astronomical society which hold public viewing nights.

- Secondhand magazines ($2AUS) which iss a cost effective way of learning about
telescopes and astronomy.

- Information kits to explain the diffeerent types of telescopes and some of the jargon.

If you have any questions or would like the answers to the commonly asked questions
above, please feel free to email or call.

			PH. 08 381 3188

		END OF SCHOOLS BYOT