Reflecting telescope

A reflecting telescope (reflector) is an optical telescope which uses mirrors to reflect light, rather than lenses to pass light. The British scientist Sir Isaac Newton designed the first reflector circa 1670. He designed the reflector in order to solve the problem of chromatic aberration, a serious degradation in all refracting telescopes before the perfection of achromatic lenses.

Related Topics:
Optical telescope - Mirror - Reflect - Light - Lenses - Isaac Newton - 1670 - Chromatic aberration - Refracting telescope - Achromatic

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The traditional two-mirrored reflector is known as a Newtonian reflector.

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While the Newtonian focus design still used in amateur astronomy, professionals now tend to use prime focus, Cassegrain focus, and coudé focus designs. By 2001, there were at least 49 reflectors with primary mirrors having diameters of 2m+.

Related Topics:
Amateur astronomy - 2001 - Diameter

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