reflecting telescope
Newtonian optical instrument
A reflecting telescope uses mirrors rather than lenses to gather and focus light.
The primary mirror at the back of the tube reflects incoming light to a focal point, where a secondary mirror directs it to an eyepiece or camera.
Most large astronomical telescopes are reflectors because mirrors can be made larger than lenses and don't suffer from chromatic aberration.
Shaped like a conic section
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
- eyepieceLens you look through
focuser · collimation · aluminize · coating · Newtonian
Observing celestial bodies
- amateur astronomyRecreational celestial observation
- star partyCommunal skywatching event
- night skyDarkness above after sunset
- dark skiesSky without brightness
light pollution · astrophotography · skywatching · red flashlight · tripod · portable · first light · astronomy club
Luminous active galactic core
- redshiftWavelength stretch from recession
- black holeCollapsed star's remnant
- dark matterLightless cosmic mass
- dark energyForce accelerating universal expansion
big bang · exoplanet · pulsar · light-year · spectroscopy · gravitational lens · expanding universe
Laws of motion formulator
- PalomarCalifornia astronomical observatory
- silvered glassMetal-backed reflective sheet
- James WebbOrbital infrared observatory
Interstellar gas formation
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- star clusterBound collection of suns
- planetsStar-orbiting celestial bodies
- moonNatural planetary satellite
comet · asteroid · double star · planetary nebula · supernova remnant · Andromeda · Orion Nebula · deep sky object
parabolic
Shaped like a conic section
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- focal lengthLens-to-convergence-point distance
eyepiece · focuser · collimation · aluminize · coating · Newtonian
stargazing
Observing celestial bodies
- amateur astronomyRecreational celestial observation
- star partyCommunal skywatching event
- night skyDarkness above after sunset
dark skies · light pollution · astrophotography · skywatching · red flashlight · tripod · portable · first light · astronomy club
quasar
Luminous active galactic core
- redshiftWavelength stretch from recession
- black holeCollapsed star's remnant
- dark matterLightless cosmic mass
dark energy · big bang · exoplanet · pulsar · light-year · spectroscopy · gravitational lens · expanding universe
Isaac Newton
Laws of motion formulator
- PalomarCalifornia astronomical observatory
- silvered glassMetal-backed reflective sheet
- James WebbOrbital infrared observatory
nebula
Interstellar gas formation
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- star clusterBound collection of suns
- planetsStar-orbiting celestial bodies
moon · comet · asteroid · double star · planetary nebula · supernova remnant · Andromeda · Orion Nebula · deep sky object · meteor shower
- astronomystars, moon, sun, planet, planets
- optical deviceslens, magnifying glass, binoculars, microscope, prism
- classical physicsNewton, Newton's laws, Newtonian physics, laws of motion, force
- Optics Historymicroscope, lens, prism, refraction, diffraction
- mirrorswall mirror, hand mirror, bathroom mirror, floor mirror, full-length mirror
reflect, reflecting, reflected, reflects, reflection, reflections, reflective, reflector, reflectors