Smallest

Smallest

Files are available on Printables. You can find the README here

Smallest, why this project?

The goal is to always have a telescope with you while hiking, in the car, in your backpack, on vacation, etc. It’s compact, modular, and offers a good compromise between aperture and portability.

The Smallest aims to solve a problem faced by amateur astronomers: always having a small telescope powerful enough to observe the sky. It allows you to chase the sky in the most remote places or take it with you on a plane while respecting current regulations. It fits in a laptop bag and the optics can be easily removed.

How?

Using 3D printing is obvious—it provides the precision required to build a structure that meets optical requirements. We used Autodesk Fusion 360 as our design tool.

A conversion kit?

The Smallest adapts perfectly to industrial optics from major commercial brands. You simply need to remove the primary and secondary mirrors from the industrial tube and position them in the Kit.

The project:

What is the Smallest?

  • A kit for 150/750 optics.
  • Folds onto itself.
  • Air transportable.
  • 1.25” focuser.
  • Aluminum rods.
  • Compatible with dovetail finder mounts.
  • Dobsonian structure with mount and tubes in the same kit.
  • 4 kilograms with optics.
  • Folded dimensions: 25cm wide × 25cm long × 20cm tall.
  • Observation dimensions: 25cm × 25cm × 87cm tall.

Pricing:

We offer the telescope at €550 without optics. For the optical components, several options are available:

  1. Second-hand (leboncoin, webastro, etc.)
  2. GSO or Chinese optics
  3. We recommend artisan optics from Gallifrey Optics for the primary (paul.fays@gallifrey-optics.fr) and/or Zen for secondary and primary (https://www.costruzioniottichezen.com/).

For more information or to place an order, please contact us.

The project was presented on May 14, 2024 at the Pint of Science festival in Toulouse.

Observation night of October 21, 2024 for comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS).

Image taken with a phone handheld in front of the telescope eyepiece. Astronomical sketch of the comet made with the Smallest:

Commercial version

The commercial version is printed in PETG CF.

View the product page

Detailed view of the Smallest telescope Telescope assembly Smallest view 1 Smallest view 2 Version 2 - view 4 Size comparison Observation setup Pint of Science presentation Moon photo with the Smallest Lunar observation Researchers' Night 2025 Researchers' Night 2025 Researchers' Night 2025 Version 2 - view 2 Design V2 Version 2 - view 3

The Smallest community

Discover Smallest telescopes built by the community around the world! Enthusiasts share their creations, modifications, and observation outings.

View the interactive map

Join the community and share your Smallest! Whether you built your own or take it out for observation, show us your photos and inspire other astronomers.