Reflecting Telescopes

One of the first reflecting telescopes was developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1680. Refracted light splits into its various wavelengths or colors producing a rainbow effect. This was a real problem with telescopes. All the images were surrounded by a rainbow of color. Isaac Newton concluded that it was impossible to refract light without this occurring. But it wasn’t until 1722 that a John Hadley developed a telescope that used parabolic mirrors.

The reflecting telescope used a curved mirror instead of a lens to focus the light and having a wider field of view than refracting telescopes as well as greater focal ratios and magnification. This means they are excellent for viewing nebulae and galaxies as well as star clusters and comets.

They are fairly easy and cheap to make at home. It is essential that the mirrors are squeaky clean and in a perfect line to get a decent picture. If a mirror is ground wrong, it will distort the image. These scopes have huge light focusing ability and you will be able to get fantastic views of distant objects and take pictures of what you can see.

Reflecting telescopes come in many shapes and sizes but Newton’s design is the simplest and easiest to make. Basic materials you will need to make a refracting telescope include a parabolic mirror, a spherical mirror and finally a flat mirror. A focal ratio of f/8 is good for all round viewing; F/8 refers to the brightness and width of the field of view.

Once you have made your reflecting telescope, you can have fun and see what catches your eye. There are so many awe inspiring things to watch and take pictures of.

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