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.