Two Indian makers from Bengaluru have built a 6-inch Newtonian reflector telescope with a Dobsonian mount, inspired by their fascination with astrophotography on Reddit. The project, named 'Curiosity,' began when Madhav and Swarup realized how expensive commercial telescopes can be. They turned to Richard Berry's classic book 'Build Your Own Telescope' and decided to construct a 6-inch model instead of their original 4-inch plan.

Using Fusion 360 for CAD modeling and a wooden router for fabrication, they created a detailed design with 3D-printed components, PVC tubes, and plywood assemblies. The telescope features a 190mm inner diameter tube, a 900mm focal length, and includes primary and secondary mirror assemblies with spider vanes. Their calculations accounted for focuser height and mirror positioning, with specific attention to diffraction spike reduction. The team sourced parts from local hardware stores and Tejraj & Co., using materials like matte black spray paint, teflon spacers, and aluminum brackets.

The makers documented their entire process, from initial calculations to final assembly, creating a comprehensive guide for others interested in DIY astronomy projects. Their telescope has captured impressive lunar and planetary observations, including Jupiter, with 200x magnification. The project demonstrates how amateur astronomers can create sophisticated equipment at a fraction of commercial costs while gaining hands-on experience in optics and mechanical design.