Refracting telescope

Definition

A refracting telescope uses lenses to gather and focus light from distant objects. It was the first type of optical telescope invented and is widely used in astronomy for observing celestial bodies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Refracting telescopes use convex objective lenses to collect and focus light.
2. The primary lens in a refracting telescope is called the objective lens.
3. Chromatic aberration, a distortion that affects image quality, is more common in refracting telescopes due to the different wavelengths of light being focused at different points.
4. Galileo Galilei was one of the first to use a refracting telescope for astronomical observations.
5. Refracting telescopes are typically smaller than reflecting telescopes because large lenses are difficult to manufacture without defects.

Review Questions

• What is the primary optical component that distinguishes a refracting telescope?
• How does chromatic aberration affect the performance of a refracting telescope?
• Who was one of the first astronomers to utilize a refracting telescope for space observations?

Related terms

Reflecting Telescope:

Uses mirrors instead of lenses to gather and focus light.

Objective Lens:

The primary lens in a refracting telescope responsible for collecting light.

Chromatic Aberration:

A common optical issue in lenses where different colors are focused at different distances, causing distorted images.