Each year things progress and now he has started to grind his own glass for his telescope mirrors. From an idea in a book and with plans taken off the Internet, he built his largest telescope - a 12.5 inch Dobsonian Reflector.

Weighing in at 40 pounds, it is portable and fits in the back of Harm's truck. He plans to take it on an outing for the first time this summer. With this newest addition, he has been able to get clearer glimpses of Orion's Nebulas, craters inside craters on the moon's surface and even far galaxies.

Dust and moisture can harm the telescope. It is carefully stored in a shed and has special covers made by a local upholsterer. Not adding his labour, the Dobsonian costs $2000 to build. One mirror alone costs $1000.

There are custom glass filters. There's a moon filter and another filter for the gaseous nebulaes. There are specialty eyepieces and recently a bigger and better finder scope to quickly aim the large telescope.