How Does A Telescope Work - By: Koz Huseyin

Have you ever wondered - how does a telescope work? Telescopes are interesting scientific instruments. Telescopes allow us to see objects at distances, which seem impossible, and make them possible, and a daily reality.

There are 2 types of telescope, you will likely find available. The refractor telescope, which we attribute with Galileo Galilei and the other, is the reflecting telescope, which we attribute with Isaac Newton.

* How Does A Refracting Telescope Work
When we think of telescopes, the first conception we are likely to think of, is the classic Galileo refractor design.

The design of the refracting telescope, is also the type you find on binoculars, though in pairs! How a refracting telescope works, is that there is a lens at the front of the optical tube assembly.

Light enters the optical tube assembly, and goes right to the lenses at the back of the telescope. And finally meets the eye, where an image of Saturn, perhaps can be seen.

* How Does A Reflecting Telescope Work
Reflecting telescopes operate in a slightly different fashion. Though the aim of both types of telescope is the same, and even though they operate in different ways, they ultimately return a similar image - depending on their power.

How reflecting telescopes work, is that light enters the optical tube assembly, and goes straight to the back of the telescope, where it meets a big mirror. This mirror then reflects the light back up the tube.

Now, the light meets a secondary mirror, which is near to the top of the telescope. As the light bounces, it enters the lenses, and finally meets the eye.

* Which Is Best - Reflecting Telescopes Or Refracting Telescopes?
We have looked at how does a telescope work, and know how the reflecting telescope works, and how the refracting telescope works. Though there are some other designs for telescopes, they are either for special uses or are mostly based around these 2 great designs.

You could take a look at both telescopes, and find that they show similar images. This is especially so, if you have 2 different types of telescope, with the equivalent power.

Refractors produce great views, however, at the expense of price. Because refracting telescopes use expensive lenses, they can be much more expensive, compared with reflecting telescopes, which utilize a mirror.

For looking at the planets, refractors are great. They produce great images, and need less maintenance, compared with reflecting telescopes. However, for deep space viewing, because of the price, and what you get, reflecting telescopes are much better.

Telescopes can be purchased for a very reasonable sum, depending on your needs. Good telescopes range in prices from a few hundred dollars, right up to thousands of dollars. They all can help you get the best out of astronomy, whether it is a lens or a mirror!

About the Author

Do you want to see what the planets look like? Discover more about astronomy and telescopes and astronomy binoculars by now visiting these links: how does a telescope work | refracting telescopes | reflecting telescopes

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