Building Overview

A high-level overview of the build process.

What Does it Take to Build a Robotic Telescope?

The PANOPTES telescope is designed so that all of the parts can be built with relatively inexpensive tools (e.g. a handheld electric drill, a soldering iron and a multimeter), many of which you may already own or have available to you. There is no need for a machine shop, though some operations are easier if you have access to a drill press. Anyone able to safely operate these tools (or learn to do so) should find the process of building the custom components and assembling the telescope to be accessible to them.

If you are unsure of how to perform a fabrication step, we encourage you to find a local mentor with greater expertise (e.g. for soldering, you might look for an electrician, electrical engineer, robotics or amateur radio hobbyist).

You may also find online tutorials helpful; we provide links in this document to some tutorials that you may find useful. And please don’t hesitate to post questions on the PANOPTES Forum.