0
Why do all large optical telescopes use mirrors to collect light rather than lenses?
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.
What else can I help you with?
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 instruments use lenses or mirriors to collect and focus light from distant objects?
Telescopes use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects. The lenses or mirrors help to magnify the light and form an image that can be viewed by the observer.
How are reflecting and refracting telescopes different?
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to collect and focus light, while refracting telescopes use lenses. Reflecting telescopes typically have a closed tube design which protects the mirrors from dust and other contaminants, while refracting telescopes are more prone to chromatic aberration. Reflecting telescopes are generally easier to manufacture at larger sizes compared to refracting telescopes.
What kinds of telescopes are used to see stars in visible light?
Refracting telescopes and reflecting telescopes are commonly used to observe stars in visible light. These telescopes utilize lenses or mirrors to gather and focus light, allowing astronomers to view stars with clarity and detail.
Do x ray and gamma ray telescopes have the same design as an optical instrument?
No, x-rays and gamma rays cannot be focused by lenses or conventional telescope mirrors. To make mirrors that will focus x-rays or gamma rays you need very shallow glancing angle mirrors, that are nearly just parabolically tapered tubes. Typically several of these tubes with the same focal point but different diameter are nested inside each other.
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 instruments use lenses or mirriors to collect and focus light from distant objects?
Telescopes use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects. The lenses or mirrors help to magnify the light and form an image that can be viewed by the observer.
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.
How are reflecting and refracting telescopes different?
Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to collect and focus light, while refracting telescopes use lenses. Reflecting telescopes typically have a closed tube design which protects the mirrors from dust and other contaminants, while refracting telescopes are more prone to chromatic aberration. Reflecting telescopes are generally easier to manufacture at larger sizes compared to refracting telescopes.
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 are 2 types of telescopes?
Refractors (with lenses)Reflectors (with mirrors)
What kinds of telescopes are used to see stars in visible light?
Refracting telescopes and reflecting telescopes are commonly used to observe stars in visible light. These telescopes utilize lenses or mirrors to gather and focus light, allowing astronomers to view stars with clarity and detail.
What is a tool that gathers light with mirrors and lenses called?
Cameras and reflecting telescopes gather light using mirrors and lenses.
Do x ray and gamma ray telescopes have the same design as an optical instrument?
No, x-rays and gamma rays cannot be focused by lenses or conventional telescope mirrors. To make mirrors that will focus x-rays or gamma rays you need very shallow glancing angle mirrors, that are nearly just parabolically tapered tubes. Typically several of these tubes with the same focal point but different diameter are nested inside each other.
What are refractor lens?
Good telescopes don't use glass lenses for magnification, because they refract different colors is slightly different angles (known as prism effect), but they use spherical mirrorsinstead. Telescopes with lenses have the advantage of being smaller, cheaper and lighter.Therefore refracting telescopes use lenses, and reflecting telescopes use mirrors.
