Copyscope

A Copyscope is a home-made refracting telescope in which the objective lens comes from a photocopy machine. The lenses usually come from defective or very old photocopiers, as this means that the objective can be acquired for free or for very little money. They are usually small aperture lenses, ranging from 50mm to 60mm, and are also of short focal length, making good use as a portable, wide-field telescope, but unsuitable for higher magnifications.

The building of a Copyscope was described in the May 1986 issue of Astronomy Magazine by Ken Bird. Bird used surplus copy lens of from 200 to 300 mm focal lengths along with PVC pipe components for the tube and lens holder.

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