List of telescope types
Astronomical telescopes are divided into subgroups. All telescopes work by collecting electromagnetic radiation and focussing it into an image which may be seen or photographed. The purpose is to see things which are far away in the universe.
The traditional types all work to collect visible light from the sky. Recent types may work outside the visible spectrum. They all have their different advantages and disadvantages and they are used in different areas of astronomy.
Contents |
Optical [change]
Refractors [change]
Dioptrics. Telescopes which create their image with an objective that is a convex lens (refractors) are said to be "dioptric" telescopes.
- Achromatic: uses achromatic lens to correct for chromatic aberration. Lens keeps colours together.
- Non-achromatic
- Apochromatic
Reflectors [change]
Catoptrics. Optical systems using mirrors: uses reflected light to form the image.
- Newtonian
- Gregorian
- Classical Cassegrain
- Ritchey-Chrétien
- Schiefspiegler
Combined Lens-Mirror Systems [change]
Catadioptrics.
Mounts [change]
These types can be mounted on different types of mounts.
