Astronomy DIY

For those of us unable to see the aurorae, there’s another way to experience the effects of the solar wind on Earth’s atmopshere. Credit: Getty Images

Can’t see the aurora? You can detect it with a homemade magnetometer

The finished smartphone finderscope. Follow our guide to make your own. Credit: Mark Parrish

Build a smartphone finderscope for your telescope

An astronomical quadrant is both fun and educational. Credit: Mark Parrish

Build your own astronomical quadrant

Red-image

How to turn your iPhone screen red for astronomy

Sundial HEADER

Make your own portable sundial

Keep your binoculars steady with a mount that faces down to look up. Image Credit: Will Davis

How to make a binocular mirror mount

Plumbing fittings and bespoke clamps attach your mobile to your scope. Image Credit: Mark Parrish

Build a smartphone holder for your telescope

Build polarscope adaptor

Build a right-angled polarscope adaptor

How-to-clean-binoculars

How to clean binoculars

The rocket ready for lift off: stamp hard on the bottle and your spacecraft will go flying. Image Credit: Jo Richardson

How to build a stomp rocket launcher

The finished platform will enable your altaz Dob to follow the motion of the stars. Image Credit: Mark Parrish

Build a Dobsonian equatorial platform

The completed shutter mounted on its own tripod and positioned beside a camera. Image Credit: Mark Parrish

Build a rotating meteor shutter

A portable tripod dolly is a handy way of moving heavy astronomy setups.

How to build a rolling telescope dolly

Build-wooden-tripod

Build a low-cost wooden tripod

completed finder HEADER

Build a clip-on finderscope illuminator