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Telescope Mirror

Telescope Mirror

How Do Telescopes Work - Telescope Lenses

Lenses and mirrors are the elements used to collect and view focused light in telescopes. Mirrors are the medium for focusing in Reflector Telescopes, while lenses are the medium in refractors. Each type has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Refractor type telescopes use lenses. These lenses bend the light when it enters the telescope from the distant object being viewed through it. Because of this refraction it is possible to closely view a distant object. The telescope has two lenses, with one slightly larger.

The eyepiece in the telescope is generally a small lens. Some telescope however, may not use lenses for the eyepiece at all. The eyepiece, in any case, is the most important element of a telescope. It is the element which lets you see correctly whatever it is that you want to focus on. These eyepieces are adjustable and are of a low power. Adjusting the eyepiece allows you to change the magnification factor. What kind of lens you use for the eyepiece is a personal choice. In today’s age, several different kinds of eyepieces are available in the market. Because of this motley available, choosing the correct eyepiece fro your requirement may be a difficult task. As a result, you should concentrate on defining the criteria you think are important for your choice. The depth of field, optical quality, sharpness, clarity, brightness, market price, barrel size and how it affects your eyesight are some of the major points of concern. However these criteria always remain individual prerogatives.

Lens designs used in older telescopes go by the name of Huygens and Ramsden. Professional astronomers are advised to not use these lenses anymore as they are not of superior quality, even though they are comparatively less expensive than other market lenses. These lenses also do not provide correction for chromatic aberration or the light circles that form around brighter objects when they are viewed.

Professional astronomers use orthoscopic lenses that are designed specifically for professional stargazing. Even amateurs will find these lenses good for their telescopes. The orthoscopic telescopes use four lenses in the eyepiece, and have a 45 degree field of vision (FOV). Since the eyepiece is the element most important to the quality of a telescope, this design is a winner. The lenses do not strain the user’s eyes, and can be used even for viewing closer objects like planets.

For a person with a moderate budget, a Barlow Lens is a viable option. The design provides average quality but is a good bargain. It does not burn a hole in one’s pocket, and yet is not of inferior quality because of its cost. The range at which this lens is available starts at a low $30 and goes up to $70. The magnification factor is generally not enough for professional use, however for amateurs it should be enough. For hobbyists, it is an ideal lens.

When you’re looking for lenses for a telescope, it is important that you determine criteria that most comprehensively fulfill your needs from the lens. Adjustable lenses is a good option as it means you can view objects which are not too far, as well as distant stars with it, and thus obtain the best deal your money can buy you.

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Download free hubble image space telescope as well as learning more about Refractor Vs Reflector Telescopes when you visit http://www.howdotelescopeswork.com, the online portal for free resource on telescopes making and usage

Right, can I use the tool that is left after grinding a telescope mirror to grind the back for another mirror?

Or does the tool release stresses that then distort the image & cannot be corrected?

I used to make spectacle lenses, but never telescope lenses or mirrors. Spectacle lenses are shaped using a generator with a diamond cutter to form the correct degree of curvature on the rear lens surface, followed by fining / polishing with ever finer grades of emery paper / polishing pads mounted on pre-formed blocks, but usually they also have a cylindrical curve as well because most of them are produced to correct astigmatism as well as near / far sightedness. This is certainly what you don't want on a telescope.
If the tool you're talking about is for forming the initial curved surface, then I assume you'll be using various grades of fining / polishing tools afterwards. If this is the case, then it's probable that you could easily use the grinding tool again, so long as there is no major deformation of its surface shape following the first use.
I've included a source link which seems fairly informative. The very last paragraph on the first link states that after initial polishing any deformation of the mirror can be corrected using the same tool, and while it doesn't state categorically that the tool may be used to form another mirror, it does seem to imply that you should be able to. But I would say that for fine polishing I would personally never use the same polishing pads / cloths for fear of trapped particles which may abrade the surface.

How to Clean your Telescope Mirror

Gregorian telescope Photo Mugs This small brass reflecting telescope uses a curved mirror rather than an objective lens to collect light and produce the observed image.....

Gregorian telescope with case Photo Mugs This small brass telescope is a reflecting telescope that uses a curved mirror rather than an objective lens to collect light and produce the observed image.....

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