Comparing Optical Telescopes

Optical

Using/detecting visible light

Adaptive optics

Techniques used to correct distortion from the atmosphere

Pros of a refracting telescope

Has good resolving power

Cons of a refracting telescope

Lots of mass meaning size is limited

Pros of a reflecting telescope

Not that much mass, meaning fewer restrictions on size

Cons of a reflecting telescope

Not much resolving power

Pros of a combination telescope

Really good resolving power

Cons of combination telescope

Costs a lot and is difficult to use

What does light do for a refracting telescope

Light is redirected/bent towards the eye

What does light do for a reflecting telescope

Light is reflected/bounced towards the eye

What does light do for a combination telescope

gathered and focused by a primary lens and/or mirror to create a bright image, it is magnified by an eyepiece

Interferometry

If we connect 2+ telescopes with computers

Resolution

The ability to differentiate between details, for example, 2 points

What is the size of a telescope limited by

The mass of its components, also affects resolving power

Electromagnetic spectrum

the entire range of all forms of electromagnetic radiation, which includes all types of energy waves

What is the order of wave lengths on the electromagnetic spectrum

Radio, microwaves, infrared, visible spectrum, UV, x-ray, gamma rays (these are not the only wavelengths)

What are wavelengths emitted by

Celestial bodies

What do radio telescopes detect

Radio waves from celestial bodies

How do radio waves go

Long and low energy

What bodies are radio telescopes able to detect

bodies that are atler (???)

What can radio telescopes detect through

Gas/atmosphere with low interference

Where are radio telescope signals reflected towards

The centre, where there is a detector

What else can interferometry be used for

Radio telescopes

Refracting telescope has

Objective lens and eyepiece lens

A reflecting telescope has

Objective mirror (secondary and primary mirror)

What does a combination telescope have

Lens and mirror