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About Telescopes
A telescope is simply a tool that enables people to see objects that
are very far away - beyond the range of the normal eyesight. The word telescope is formed from two
Greek words that combine to literally mean
'distant-seeing' (tele means 'far' and skopein means
'to see').
History credits Galileo with coining the term when he christened the instrument he refined and made popular - that could be used to observe distant planets - as the 'telescope'.
Going by the dictionary, though, the word telescope can be used to imply a wide variety of instruments that are designed to extend the range of our normal senses. However, all these "telescopes" have one common attribute. They collect electromagnetic radiation and manipulate it so as to be able to study and analyze in detail the source of the radiation and/or what the radiation (light, radio waves, etc.) has interacted with.
Most commonly, though, when speaking of telescopes it is usually in reference to the optical telescope. These shiny instruments in backyards and on top of mountains collect visible light and use an array of mirrors and lenses to focus this light, permitting the viewer to clearly see and even photograph distant objects.
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Additionally on this website the history of the telescope is traced. And a an account is given of how Galileo came up with the first refined telescope that he then used to study the heavens.
There are several different accessories pertaining to telescopes such as telescope eyepieces, telescope mounts, etc. which are detailed on other pages. Modern camera telescopes and the famous Hubble space telescope are also discussed here.
If you want to scan the night skies, you may want to build your own telescope. See our page on building your own. Or you can always purchase a telescope from our telescope store, Viewing the Universe.
About the Author: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, Harvest The Sun | Making Biodiesel, Samurai Weapons, Naming the Baby, and Jamaica Photos.
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News About Telescopes
 Currents | NASA'S FERMI Telescope Probes Dozens of Pulsars PR Newswire (press release) WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, astronomers now are getting their best look at those whirling ... New Class Of Pulsars Solve Mystery Of Previously Unidentified ... |
Checking Out Stars on World's Largest Telescope ABC News The telescope, known as the GTC, has a unique 34.1-foot primary mirror, which allows it to see deep into the universe and examine distant objects in great ... UF Astronomy team among first to use massive new telescope |
Thirty Meter Telescope creates debate Big Island Weekly The document details the environmental, community, economic and cultural impacts of the proposed telescope, housed 500 feet below Mauna Kea's summit, ... |
Let's raise a glass to the early innovators of today's telescopes The Chesapeake Bay Journal I once envisioned Smith, braced in the stern sheets of the shallop, raising a telescope at Calvert Cliffs shimmering yellow in the sunlight, as he tried to ... |
Shoot for the Stars at LTO Golf Open Berthoud Recorder Please come out and support the observatory in its goal to enhance science education and to have two world-class telescopes on the same site. |
 New Zealand Herald | Kiwi farmer spots supernova with amateur telescope New Zealand Herald Dairy farmer Stuart Parker captured an image of the exploding star with a computer-controlled camera mounted to an amateur 14" telescope. ... |
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