telescope
Distant object viewer
A telescope is an optical instrument that makes distant objects appear closer and larger, using lenses or mirrors to gather and focus light.
Telescopes range from handheld devices for birdwatching to massive observatory installations that peer into deep space.
The verb telescope means to slide sections into one another, like the collapsible tubes of a handheld telescope, or more figuratively to compress or condense: The timeline got telescoped from six months to six weeks.
Light-focusing curved glass
- refractorLight-bending optical instrument
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- eyepieceLens you look through
aperture · focal length · prism · objective · tripod · mount · finderscope · collimation
Facility for celestial study
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- astrophysicsPhysics of celestial bodies
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
- celestialOf the sky above
planets · stars · galaxies · nebulae · quasars · supernovae · exoplanets · cosmos
Increase in size
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- zoomRapid movement or magnification
- close-upNear-range photograph
detail · resolution · clarity · sharpness · focus · enhance · power · optics
Act of finding something
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- CopernicusRenaissance astronomer, heliocentrism
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
- frontierEdge of settlement
uncharted · voyage · expedition · new worlds · cosmic · unknown · search · quest
Darkness above after sunset
- constellationsRecognized celestial groupings
- OrionCelestial hunter figure
- Big DipperSeven-star northern asterism
- Milky WayGalaxy containing Earth
Andromeda · meteor shower · comet · shooting star · Polaris · Sirius · Cassiopeia · Ursa Major
Observing wild avians recreationally
- birdingWatching wild fowl
- ornithologyScientific study of birds
- whale watchingObserving ocean giants
- safariWildlife observation journey
nature observation · wildlife photography · field guide · bird identification · shorebirds · migration · habitat
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- refractorLight-bending optical instrument
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
eyepiece · aperture · focal length · prism · objective · tripod · mount · finderscope · collimation · magnification
observatory
Facility for celestial study
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- astrophysicsPhysics of celestial bodies
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
celestial · planets · stars · galaxies · nebulae · quasars · supernovae · exoplanets · cosmos · universe
enlarge
Increase in size
close-up · detail · resolution · clarity · sharpness · focus · enhance · power · optics · distant
discovery
Act of finding something
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- CopernicusRenaissance astronomer, heliocentrism
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
frontier · uncharted · voyage · expedition · new worlds · cosmic · unknown · search · quest · revelation
night sky
Darkness above after sunset
- constellationsRecognized celestial groupings
- OrionCelestial hunter figure
- Big DipperSeven-star northern asterism
Milky Way · Andromeda · meteor shower · comet · shooting star · Polaris · Sirius · Cassiopeia · Ursa Major · twilight
birdwatching
Observing wild avians recreationally
- birdingWatching wild fowl
- ornithologyScientific study of birds
- whale watchingObserving ocean giants
safari · nature observation · wildlife photography · field guide · bird identification · shorebirds · migration · habitat
observe
Perceive with attention
glimpse · spot · detect · sight · view · watch · monitor · scrutinize · discover · study
telescopemicroscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
electron microscope · magnifying glass · loupe · scanning electron microscope · endoscope
- space telescopeInstrument observing cosmos from orbit
- radio telescopesInstruments detecting celestial emissions
- Hubble Space TelescopeOrbiting astronomical observatory
- James Webb Space TelescopeInfrared space observatory
- Hubble telescopeOrbiting astronomical instrument
- telescopic sightMagnifying aiming device
telescopes, telescopic, telescoped, telescoping, telescopically, radio telescope, space telescope