optical telescope
Stargazer's magnifying tube
An optical telescope is an instrument that gathers and focuses visible light to magnify distant objects.
Refracting telescopes use lenses; reflecting telescopes use mirrors.
The term distinguishes these from radio telescopes, X-ray telescopes, and other instruments that detect non-visible wavelengths: Galileo's optical telescope revealed Jupiter's moons.
Light-gathering optical element
- eyepieceLens you look through
- focuserThing that sharpens clarity
- tubeHollow cylindrical passage
- mountClimb up or steed
tripod · dust cap · counterweight · filter
Facility for celestial study
- astronomerCelestial bodies researcher
- astrophotographyImaging celestial objects
- celestialOf the sky above
- deep-skyBeyond our solar system
stargazing · night sky · Hubble · galaxy · nebula · star cluster · planet · moon
Adjustable optical inlet
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- field of viewExtent one sees simultaneously
coma · diffraction · collimation · first light · contrast
Light-bending optical instrument
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
- achromaticLacking visible hue
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- motorizedEquipped with engine propulsion
objective lens
Light-gathering optical element
mount · tripod · dust cap · counterweight · filter
observatory
Facility for celestial study
- astronomerCelestial bodies researcher
- astrophotographyImaging celestial objects
- celestialOf the sky above
deep-sky · stargazing · night sky · Hubble · galaxy · nebula · star cluster · planet · moon · comet
aperture
Adjustable optical inlet
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
field of view · coma · diffraction · collimation · first light · contrast
refractor
Light-bending optical instrument
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
- achromaticLacking visible hue
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
view
What's seen from somewhere
scan · survey · detect · resolve · split · image · focus · slew · align · center
optical telescoperadio telescope
Astronomical receiver for cosmic waves
X-ray telescope · infrared telescope · radio dish · particle detector · radio antenna
optical telescopemicroscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
electron microscope · magnifying glass · scanning electron microscope · endoscope
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