Build Your Own Backyard Stargazing Telescope

I started this group because I have always believed that looking through a telescope you built yourself is a completely different experience than just buying one off a shelf. There is something special about understanding every piece of glass and metal that brings the craters of the moon or the rings of Saturn into focus. Whether you are an experienced woodworker, a tinkerer, or someone who has never touched a power tool in their life, this group is about getting your hands dirty and figuring out the mechanics of optics together.

Our meetings are informal, collaborative, and focused on helping each other get our projects across the finish line. We share resources on where to source mirrors, how to design stable mounts, and how to troubleshoot those frustrating alignment issues that always seem to pop up. If you have a project in progress or just want to see how it is done before committing to your own build, you are more than welcome to join us. We keep things low-pressure, supportive, and grounded in the simple joy of building something that helps us explore the night sky.