Telescopes

Telescopes

1. Refracting

   • Lenses gather light

2. Reflecting

   • Mirrors gather light

3. Index of Refraction

   • how much light bends
     • the lower the number, the less it bends
   • red light bends slightly less than blue light

4. Functions

   • Gather light
   • Resolve fine detail
     • resolving power
       • how fine of detail you can see
       • increasing telescope size increases angular resolution
         • telescope size=diameter of primary mirror
   • magnify
     • isn't as important as the others

5. Earth's Atmosphere

   • blocks some light