The D.S.McNamara Telescope

The D.S.McNamara Telescope

Project 2014-06-13 23:12:40 +1200

In the early 90's my father started building a 20 inch (510mm) telescope. He had the blank, made a cradle for it, even started to grind it.

Then Shoemaker Levy 9 decided to collide with Jupiter and kind of took priority. It was an exciting time, my father was the second person in NZ to photograph the imapct sites, only 6 minutes behind Mt John in Tekapo, NZ.

Now I want to complete that telescope and dedicate it in his name. The telescope once finished will be located in Oamaru, hopefully in a purpose built observatory, but that is another project all together, wtahc this space!

I can't really offer a lot in the way of rewards except for other amateur astronomers and skygazers the opportunity to have an image taken through The D.S.McNamara Telescope.

This is something I've dreamt about doing for many years, but now, with next month being the 20th anniversary of Shoemaker Levy 9 hitting Jupiter, I feel it a fitting tribute to a great man that spent a good portion of his life looking to the stars.

PLEASE help me finish this project that has been 20 years in the making! The project will close at 10pm on the 22nd of July 2014, 20 years to the day of the last fragment, fragment "W" from Shoemaker Levy 9 hitting Jupiter.

This one telescope will hopefully reignite interest in Astronomy in the North Otago area again, and inspire the next generation of Star Gazers to think big!

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