How does a telescope work?

A telescope works by gathering and focusing light from distant objects to produce an image.

A telescope consists of two main parts: the objective lens or mirror and the eyepiece. The objective lens or mirror is responsible for gathering light from distant objects and focusing it to produce an image. The eyepiece then magnifies this image so that it can be viewed by the observer.

The objective lens or mirror is usually the largest part of the telescope and is located at the front of the instrument. It is designed to collect as much light as possible from distant objects, which is then focused to produce an image. The shape of the objective lens or mirror determines the type of telescope. Refracting telescopes use a convex lens to bend and focus light, while reflecting telescopes use a concave mirror to reflect and focus light.

The eyepiece is located at the back of the telescope and is responsible for magnifying the image produced by the objective lens or mirror. The magnification of the image depends on the focal length of the eyepiece. The longer the focal length, the greater the magnification.

Telescopes can be used to observe a wide range of objects in the night sky, including planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae. They are also used in scientific research to study the properties of these objects and to make new discoveries about the universe.