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Why do all large optical telescopes use mirrors to collect light rather than lenses?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Light goes through the lens but not through the mirror.
-- So any imperfection inside the lens can affect the behavior of the light, but an
imperfection inside the mirror can't.
-- So the lens must be made of the finest, purest material through and through,
but the mirror can be made of any material that can hold the shape of one surface ...
metal, granite, etc. The mirror doesn't even have to be glass.
-- Both surfaces of the lens must be accurately curved and polished, and they
must be perfectly parallel to each other. Only one surface of the mirror has to
be optically perfect in shape; the others can be pocked, dimpled, honeycombed,
scratched, drilled, chipped, etc.
-- The lens can only be supported by its edge, and must be rigid enough that no
part of it will bend or deform under its own weight, no matter what position it's
in. The mirror can be supported all around its sides and all over its back. It can
even be fitted with computerized plungers along its back, to push on it and
correct its shape if it sags or bends.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What instruments use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects?
A Telescope uses lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects. With the advancement in optical research we are capable to watch the stars and planets better than before. Our information about universe largely depend on telescopes.
Is it more difficult to produce large mirrors for telescopes that have large objective lenses?
false
When was the earliest telescopes and how were constructed of two lenses in a long hollow tube?
optical telescope
How do telescope Works?
Mirrors and lenses in telescopes bend and focus light to produce an image with more detail.
Is it true that It is more difficult to produce large mirrors for telescopes that have large objective lenses?
false
Optical telescopes are designed to collect and create images from?
mirrors and/or lenses
What instruments use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects?
A Telescope uses lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects. With the advancement in optical research we are capable to watch the stars and planets better than before. Our information about universe largely depend on telescopes.
What design variants might one see in an optical telescope?
Some design variants you may see in an optical telescope include telescopes that fold or divert the optical path with mirrors and telescopes that use special lenses to enhance the images.
What is found in telescopes and microscopes?
Lenses and/or mirrors
Can mirrors cameras telescope and eye glasses refract light?
Mirrors don't refract, they reflect. All lenses, on the other hand, refract (bend) the light. All cameras have lenses, to focus the image; same for eyeglasses. Some telescopes have lenses, but others are collections of mirrors. Note that some few optical elements are lenses and mirrors - like prescription sunglasses with mirror coating.
What is a tool that gathers light with mirrors and lenses called?
Cameras and reflecting telescopes gather light using mirrors and lenses.
What are 2 types of telescopes?
Refractors (with lenses)Reflectors (with mirrors)
What optical defects associated with refracting telescopes?
A defect that happens with lenses (refracting telescopes), but not with mirrors, is the chromatic aberration: lenses have a different index of refraction for different wavelengths of light, i.e. colors. Thus, if the telescope is optimized for a certain color, light of another color will be slightly distorted.
Is it more difficult to produce large mirrors for telescopes that have large objective lenses?
false
When was the earliest telescopes and how were constructed of two lenses in a long hollow tube?
optical telescope
How do telescope Works?
Mirrors and lenses in telescopes bend and focus light to produce an image with more detail.
Which type of telescope uses lenses or mirrors to gather and focus light?
Optical!!
