parabolic reflector
Curved focusing surface
A parabolic reflector is a curved surface shaped like a parabola that concentrates incoming waves—light, sound, or radio—at a single focal point, or projects waves outward in a parallel beam from a source at that point.
Satellite dishes, flashlights, car headlights, and reflecting telescopes all use parabolic reflectors: The observatory's parabolic reflector gathered faint starlight.
Reflective viewing surface
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
- collimationMaking light rays parallel
- beamStructural support member
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
caustic · converge · silvering · Newtonian · searchlight · headlamp · flashlight · concentrator
Concentrated attention point
Broadcast signal receiver
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
broadcast · radar · microwave · C-band · transponder · waveguide · gain · beamwidth
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- AreciboPuerto Rican radio observatory
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
Increase in intensity
- ear-trumpetFunnel-shaped acoustic amplifier
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
- collimationMaking light rays parallel
- beamStructural support member
aperture · caustic · converge · silvering · Newtonian · searchlight · headlamp · flashlight · concentrator · speculum
focus
Concentrated attention point
- directrixLine defining conic sections
- vertexPoint where edges converge
- quadraticInvolving squared terms
curve · f-number · cross-section · paraboloid · curvature
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
transmitter · broadcast · radar · microwave · C-band · transponder · waveguide · gain · beamwidth · tracking
telescope
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
- AreciboPuerto Rican radio observatory
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
aperture · celestial · deep-space · interferometry · SETI
amplification
Increase in intensity
- ear-trumpetFunnel-shaped acoustic amplifier
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- reflectorsmirror, flat mirror, retroreflector, concave mirror, convex mirror
- radio astronomyradio telescopes, radio telescope, radio waves, radio signals, radio spectrum
- radio telescopesradio telescope, dish, dish antenna, antenna array, receiver
- satellite dishessatellite dish, dish antenna, dish, radio dish, snow guard
- lighthouse historylighthouse keeper, keeper, beacon, lamp, foghorn
- telescopesrefractor, Newtonian, Gregorian, space telescope, radio telescope
parabolic reflectorbroadcast antenna
reflect, reflection, parabolic mirror, reflector, parabolic, parabola