CSTERC’s First Telescope Construction Workshop at Jamal Mohamed College
On 02nd and 03rd September 2022, CSTERC Techno Science LLP marked another important milestone in its journey towards making astronomy education more practical, accessible, and hands-on by organizing its first Telescope Construction Workshop at the Department of Physics, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappalli.
The two-day programme brought together students, educators, and astronomy enthusiasts for an immersive experience in the fundamentals of telescope construction. Rather than simply learning astronomy through textbooks or observing through ready-made instruments, participants were given the opportunity to understand how a telescope works and to build one with their own hands.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Khaja Najeemudin, Secretary & Correspondent, Jamal Mohamed College. Dr. Jamal Mohamed Jaffar, Head of the Department of Physics, welcomed the guests and participants, setting the stage for two days of intensive learning and experimentation.
From Components to a Working Telescope
As part of the workshop, CSTERC facilitated students in constructing a 120 mm aperture telescope with a 900 mm focal length. The participants were introduced to the essential components and principles behind a reflecting telescope and were guided through the practical stages of assembling and aligning the instrument.
The workshop transformed the telescope from a sophisticated astronomical instrument into something the students could understand, assemble, and ultimately use themselves. The experience demonstrated an important philosophy at CSTERC: astronomy education becomes more meaningful when learners are given the opportunity to build the tools through which they explore the Universe.
The two days were packed with technical sessions, hands-on assembly, alignment, troubleshooting, and discussions about observational astronomy. By the end of the workshop, the newly constructed telescopes were ready for their first real test under the night sky.
Celebrating Citizen Science
The workshop also hosted the Certificate Distribution Ceremony of the Second Tamilnadu Asteroid Search Campaign, adding another significant dimension to the programme.
The campaign had provided teachers and students with an opportunity to participate in authentic astronomical research through asteroid-search activities. As part of the ceremony, certificates were presented to the participating teachers, recognizing their contribution to the citizen-science initiative.
Mr. Ingersol Selladuari, Former Group Director, Liquid Propulsion Centre, ISRO, Mahendragiri, participated as the Chief Guest and distributed the certificates to the teachers. His presence added special significance to the occasion, connecting the participants with the wider journey of India’s space and scientific exploration.
The Citizen Science Awards presented to the participating teachers were a recognition not merely of participation, but of their efforts to bring research-oriented astronomy into the learning environment and encourage young minds to engage with real scientific challenges.
Under the Night Sky
The culmination of the two-day workshop was perhaps its most memorable moment—the sky observation session on the second evening.
After spending two days constructing and understanding their instruments, the participants finally turned their newly built telescopes towards the night sky. What had begun as individual components and technical discussions had now become functioning astronomical instruments capable of revealing objects beyond our immediate surroundings.
For the students, this was more than simply observing through a telescope. It was the moment when engineering, science, craftsmanship, and curiosity came together.
The successful completion of CSTERC’s first Telescope Construction Workshop at Jamal Mohamed College became an important milestone in its efforts to promote hands-on astronomy education and indigenous telescope-building skills. It also reinforced a continuing vision—to enable students and educators not only to observe the Universe, but to understand, build, and experiment with the technologies that make such exploration possible.
A telescope built by a student is more than an instrument—it is a doorway to scientific curiosity.
