Large Binocular Telescope

Definition

The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) is an optical telescope located on Mount Graham in Arizona. It uses two 8.4-meter mirrors to provide high-resolution images and gather significant amounts of light for astronomical observations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The LBT's primary mirrors are the largest single-piece optical telescope mirrors in use.
2. It has a combined light-gathering power equivalent to an 11.8-meter circular aperture.
3. The LBT is equipped with adaptive optics, which corrects for atmospheric distortions.
4. It plays a crucial role in studying faint astronomical objects and distant galaxies.
5. The LBT is a collaboration involving institutions from the USA, Italy, and Germany.

Review Questions

• What feature of the Large Binocular Telescope allows it to have such high-resolution images?
• How large are the primary mirrors of the LBT?
• Which countries' institutions are involved in the collaboration of the LBT?

Related terms

Adaptive Optics: Technology used in telescopes to adjust for distortions caused by Earth's atmosphere.

Optical Telescope: A telescope that gathers and focuses light primarily from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Light-Gathering Power: The ability of a telescope to collect light; larger apertures have greater light-gathering power.