Types of telescopes
Telescopes have always been a wonder for human
beings. It is being widely
used for
viewing objects at a distance and specific radiations
that are electromagnetic in nature.
Telescope in itself has a great extend of
meanings as it covers different related instruments in
its name. There are different types of such instruments,
though the generally used ones come as optical
telescopes.
Optical telescopes are the most familiar ones for common
people as it is widely used in places where telescopes are
generally needed. This telescope works by concentrating the
visible light of the electromagnetic spectrum.
It gives a clearer and
bright view of the distant objects. Lenses and mirrors
are the widely used materials for focusing light in this
manner. The focused light is generally analyzed to study
the complicated aspects of astronomy.
Non-astronomical areas are also benefitted from
these types of telescopes as it is being used in
instruments like binoculars and camera. The optical
telescopes come in further varieties like refracting
telescopes, reflecting and catadioptric
telescopes.
Refracting telescopes can be considered as the earliest of
the optical telescopes. They were the first formed of this
kind. They generally use the lens to refract the light and thus
form the image.
The
reflecting telescope as the name implies generally reflect the
light and form images with the help of the lenses that are
combinations of planar and curved characters. There are
different classes of reflecting telescope available which are
particular in various
characteristics.
Radio telescopes are another classification of
telescopes that have a parabolic structure. The material
forming the dish is generally wires that can conduct.
These dishes can collect together to form multi-element
forms of radio telescopes.
When the optical telescopes analyze the electromagnetic
radiation, these radio telescopes can analyze the microwave
radiation. Fainted or difficult to observe visible light are
usually viewed with the help of these radio telescopes. Extra
terrestrial life is being studied with the help of the radio
telescope.
The telescopes which can penetrate the metals
are usually falling under the category of x-ray and gamma
ray telescopes. They have mirrors that are capable of
reflecting the light with the help of the heavy metals
with which they are constructed.
The mirrors can be hyperbolic, parabolic or even
elliptical in shape. These telescopes are being used in
satellites that revolve earth. They are also used in
balloons that are used for flying
purposes.
This is made possible as the atmosphere in this
region is generally opaque to the radiations that are
electromagnetic in nature.
The types of telescopes are useful when they
serve different purposes. Each is constructed differently
and is completely different in the appearance and the
purpose that they serve.
These telescopes are being used for a variety of
uses in astronomical and non-astronomical areas. The
basic structure and the working differentiates them from
one another.
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