Brian Miche has set himself the goal of making stargazing easier and more affordable for people all over the world. The key to this: 3D-printed telescopes.
Inspired by his fascination with his own telescope experience as a teenager, Miche began building affordable 3D printed telescopes a few years ago. He founded the “Ten Telescopes” project and a local observatory to make it easier for interested people to get started.
Before participants print their own telescope, they can borrow and test one from Miche. The telescope collection also includes a smartphone mount for digital sky observation.
According to Miche, the high prices of traditional telescopes put off many potential amateur astronomers. His “Skyward 150” model, which costs around 300 dollars, is now set to change that. It is made of ABS plastic.
Open source design for further development
To extend the reach even further, Miche is also publishing the construction plans on platforms such as GitHub. The collaborative approach is intended to allow enthusiasts worldwide to contribute their ideas and improvements.
According to Miche, the project reveals the potential of 3D printing to make telescopes affordable for everyone and thus make astronomy more socially acceptable. It is hoped that this development will only increase in the future as the technology develops.
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