Thu Apr 10 14:22:28 UTC 2025: ## Kolkata Astronomers Build City’s Largest Handmade Telescope
**Kolkata, West Bengal, April 10, 2025** – Two Kolkata-based astronomy groups, the Observational Astronomy Centre (OAC) and the Institute of Astronomy Space and Earth Science (IASES), have unveiled what they claim is Kolkata’s largest handmade telescope. The 14.5-inch f/5 Dobsonian telescope, built by young scientists and optical observers, is lauded for its low cost, power, and ease of use.
The telescope’s centerpiece is a large parabolic primary mirror, painstakingly hand-ground and shaped in Kolkata from a repurposed ship porthole salvaged from the Kandala shipyard. This showcases a unique example of upcycling for scientific advancement, according to Dr. Sudipta Sasmal, co-founder and associate professor of IASES. Following the initial grinding and shaping, the mirror underwent further polishing and aluminization in Delhi.
The telescope, constructed from fiberglass, wood, and steel, is housed on the rooftop of a Shyambazar residence. While manually operated, it can track celestial objects for several minutes, enabling serious observational work. Its creators emphasize that this is not merely an amateur project but a tool for scientific application, intended for the study of variable stars, transient astronomical phenomena, and detailed planetary observations. It will also play a key role in science outreach, engaging students from various educational institutions.
Biswajit Bose, a primary member of OAC and close associate of IASES, stated that the initiative aims to make astronomy more accessible and stimulate scientific curiosity within the community. The telescope represents a significant achievement in both craftsmanship and scientific ambition, combining low-cost ingenuity with high-impact research capabilities.
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