Refracting Telescopes use a large objective lens as their primary
Reflecting Telescopes use a concave primary mirror to collect light and form an image. In the Newtonian type of reflector, light is reflected by a small, flat secondary mirror to the side of the main tube for observation of the image.
Eyepiece |
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F |
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Refracting Telescope | Objective Lens |
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In the refracting telescope, light is collected by a
Secondary
Mirror
Concave Mirror
F
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Reflecting Telescope | Eyepiece | |
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In contrast, the reflecting telescope uses a concave mirror for this purpose.