parabolic mirror
Curved light concentrator
A parabolic mirror is a curved reflective surface shaped like a paraboloid—the three-dimensional form created by rotating a parabola around its axis.
This geometry causes parallel incoming rays to converge at a single focal point, or conversely, causes light from the focal point to reflect outward in parallel rays.
Parabolic mirrors appear in telescopes, satellite dishes, car headlights, and solar concentrators: The observatory's parabolic mirror collects light from distant galaxies.
Device cooking via sunlight
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
- collectorOne who gathers items
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- heatTransferred thermal energy
energy · sunlight · focal point · heliostat · renewable · receiver · intensity · solar oven
Center of interest
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
- paraboloidRotated parabola surface
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
- curvatureDeviation from flatness
vertex · collimation · aperture · ray tracing · silvering · reflector · convergence · magnification
Of classical mechanics
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- reflecting telescopeMirror-focused astronomical instrument
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
mount · tracking · stargazing · deep sky · celestial · astrophotography · ground-based · space telescope
Casting back light
- silveredGiven reflective coating
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
- curvedSmoothly bent, not angular
aluminized · coated · smooth · mirrorlike · gleaming · lustrous · sheen
Concave aerial receiving transmissions
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
transmission · downlink · uplink · radar · microwave · waveguide · transponder · radio telescope
solar cooker
Device cooking via sunlight
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
- collectorOne who gathers items
- thermalPertaining to warmth
heat · energy · sunlight · focal point · heliostat · renewable · receiver · intensity · solar oven · death ray
focal point
Center of interest
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
- paraboloidRotated parabola surface
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
curvature · vertex · collimation · aperture · ray tracing · silvering · reflector · convergence · magnification
Newtonian
Of classical mechanics
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- reflecting telescopeMirror-focused astronomical instrument
aperture · mount · tracking · stargazing · deep sky · celestial · astrophotography · ground-based · space telescope · amateur astronomy
reflective
Casting back light
- silveredGiven reflective coating
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
curved · aluminized · coated · smooth · mirrorlike · gleaming · lustrous · sheen
satellite dish
Concave aerial receiving transmissions
broadcast · transmission · downlink · uplink · radar · microwave · waveguide · transponder · radio telescope · gain
- mirrorslooking glass, speculum, glace
- optical devicestelescope, lens, magnifying glass, binoculars, microscope
- reflectorsreflector, retroreflector, radar reflector, heat reflector, heliostat
- opticslens, lenses, prism, prisms, filter
- firestartersmatches, lighter, flint, tinder bundle, kindling
- telescopesrefractor, reflector, Newtonian, Gregorian, space telescope
parabolic mirrorconvex mirror
Outward-bulging reflective surface
diffuser · convex lens · matte surface · concave lens · frosted glass