Step 1 – Materials
You will also require an assistant
Step 2
Tape the reading glasses to the yardstick using the masking tape and ensuring
one lens is sticking out to the side. Place the flashlight 12 feet away on a
stand shining the light onto the lens.
Step 3
Place the thin piece of paper across from the flash light and walk away slowly
until you can see an image of the flashlight on the paper.
Get an assistant to take the paper to the focal point of the light. You will see
an image on the back side of the paper.
Look at it through your magnifying glass.
You may need to adjust positions until the flashlight is enlarged. Once you have
the correct positioning, you can remove the paper to reveal a much brighter
image. You can also repeat the process adjusting the telescope to look at other
things.
With a little adjustment, you can have your telescope working in minutes. The
light of the flashlight helps focus the image and moving the magnifying glass
back and forth will alter your focus. The lower the magnification
and the nearer
you are to the image, the clearer it becomes.
This simple telescope doesn’t need complicated engineering or blueprints but can
inspire and teach about physics and even become a hobby. It may take a while to
get started but once you’ve got the hang of it there’s no limit to what you can
observe.