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A reflecting telescope has both magnifying mirrors and lenses to focus the image on the eyepiece.

A refracting telescope uses only lenses to magnify and focus.

A reflecting telescope can be much smaller, because the light can travel through the barrel of the telescope several times, being magnified with each reflection. This is why most large modern telescopes are reflectors.

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Is a light telescope the same as a refracting telescope?

Not exactly. A light telescope is a telescope that catches and shows visible light. The main light-gathering piece may either be a lens, in which case you would have a refracting telescope. Or - much more common with the larger telescopes - the main light-gathering piece is a parabolic mirror. In this case, it is a reflecting telescope. The largest refracting telescope is about 1.2 meters in diameter; all larger telescopes - currently up to about 8 meters - are parabolic mirrors.


What are some telescopes names?

The two types are refractor and reflector. In a refracting telescope, the light comes in THROUGH a magnifying LENS where it is REFRACTED (bent) to focus the light into an objective lens. In a reflecting telescope, the light BOUNCES OFF a curved magnifying MIRROR , and then reflected again on a secondary mirror to direct the light into an objective lens. Among the advantages of a reflecting telescope are that in a refracting lens, the thickness of the lens can absorb some of the light, while a mirror reflects all of the light. Additionally, a reflecting telescope can "fold" the telescope into a much more compact instrument, which is essential with especially large devices. A large refracting telescope would be enormously heavy and cumbersome.


What kind of shape is the primary mirror of a reflecting telescope?

The name of this type of instrument is derived from the fact that the primary mirror reflects the light back to a focus instead of refracting it. The primary mirror usually has a concave spherical or parabolic shape, and, as it reflects the light, it inverts the image at the focal plane.


How is spherical aberration eliminated in a reflecting telescope?

A reflecting telescope should have a parabolic mirror in which case there is no spherical aberration. The process of turning a spherical mirror surface into a parabolic one is called 'figuring'.


What type of lens does a reflecting telescope use?

A reflecting telescope only uses lenses in the eyepiece. Light is picked up and an image produced by using a concave parabolic mirror.

Related Questions

How are reflecting and retracting telescopes different?

A reflecting telescope is different from a refracting telescope because a reflecting telescope uses a concave lens, a plane mirror, and a convex lens. While a refracting telescope uses two lens.


Which type of telescope uses concave mirrors to increase the size of the image being viewed?

Refracting


What type of telescope uses lenses or mirror to gather and focus energy?

the reflecting telescope uses mirrors and lenses. The refracting telescope does not include the mirrors.


Is a light telescope the same as a refracting telescope?

Not exactly. A light telescope is a telescope that catches and shows visible light. The main light-gathering piece may either be a lens, in which case you would have a refracting telescope. Or - much more common with the larger telescopes - the main light-gathering piece is a parabolic mirror. In this case, it is a reflecting telescope. The largest refracting telescope is about 1.2 meters in diameter; all larger telescopes - currently up to about 8 meters - are parabolic mirrors.


What telescope collects light with a mirror?

A reflector telescope collects light with a mirror. The mirror is located at the back of the telescope and reflects the incoming light to a focal point where it is then collected by an eyepiece for viewing.


What is a telescope that uses one or more mirrors?

A telescope that uses one or more mirrors is called a reflecting telescope. Light is collected and focused by the primary mirror, which then reflects it to a secondary mirror that directs it to the eyepiece or detector. This design allows for larger apertures and better image quality compared to refracting telescopes.


What is the difference between refracting telescopes and reflecting telescopes?

Hi , A reflective scope uses mirrors to focus the image and the light while a refractive scope uses curved glass lenses to focus the light and the image. Generally the reflector telescope is better for deep sky viewing and the refractor is better for lunar and planetary viewing. You can also find a compound telescope which uses both glass and mirrors which is better for general viewing. This site very good for info and purchase http://www.tejraj.com/index.html Contact Me: http://notesonline.co.in/mail.asp


Why are most modern telescopes reflecting telescopes?

Most modern telescopes are reflecting telescopes because reflecting telescopes are generally more cost-effective and easier to build at larger sizes compared to refracting telescopes. Reflecting telescopes also suffer less from chromatic aberration and can have a simpler design with fewer optical elements.


How did Isaac Newton improve the first refracting telescope?

Isaac Newton improved the first refracting telescope by designing a reflecting telescope, known as the Newtonian telescope. He replaced the eyepiece of the refracting telescope with a curved mirror to eliminate chromatic aberration, resulting in a sharper image with less distortion. This design laid the foundation for future advancements in telescope technology.


Who discovered the reflective telescope?

The reflective telescope was invented by Isaac Newton in 1668. He designed a reflecting telescope with a curved mirror that resolved some of the issues associated with the refracting telescopes of the time.


Differences between reflecting and refracting telescopes?

Reflecting Telescopes -uses a single or combination of curved mirrors to bring light to a focus and make an image.


Who built the first reflecting telescope in 1668?

Isaac Newton is credited with building the first practical reflecting telescope in 1668. This telescope used a curved mirror to gather and focus light, unlike traditional refracting telescopes which used lenses.