Análise financeira entre comprar, montar ou fazer um telescópio

Abstract

This work proposes a financial analysis among the existing possibilities to acquire a telescope and has as purpose to assist teachers, schools, astronomy clubs, amateur astronomers, beginners in astronomy, everyone who wishes to have one. A brief history of how the reflector telescope appeared in astronomy shows the advantages over the refractor scope and that other designs were projected by astronomers and mathematicians before Newton get to build the first reflector example. It was also raised how optical instruments are useful in a variety of educational activities in and outside school, providing most of the times the experience of observing through a telescope for the first time ever. In this research three scenarios were analyzed: buy a telescope, assemble or make one – which differs from assemble by manufacturing most of components. The data of values of the telescopes and of its components were collected in popular astronomy sites and others general e-commerces. To manufacture some parts such as the focuser and mirror support, for example, it is basically used PVC material, wood, screws and nuts, which were budgeted in a local warehouse. Fortunately, it has a simple mechanics which allow an amateur construction get a really close image quality from a factory made one. However, there are glass made parts too complicated to make, such as the mirrors and oculars. Manufacture them requests a specific machinery for the various steps of glass treatment, and also ability to make them perfect in all their aspects, once a good image is the result of accurate measurements of light-conducting components. For this reason, it was researched the costs to buy the mirrors and oculars to compose all the scenarios. After collecting all data, set up the scenarios were compared, making a telescope proved to be the cheapest way to acquire one.