A telescope is a device that is manufactured to see clearly distant objects. The result of this science has caused us to see magnified versions have distantly located objects such as planets, stars, and many more. The invention of the telescope marked a greater scope of learning and knowing far away objects particularly in the field of astronomy. It involved engaging and improving the studies of radiation from celestial bodies.

It was Galileo who invented the first telescope in the early 17th century. There were studies of extraterrestrial and celestial bodies after that. There were researches that were impossible before this particular invention. This completely and totally changes the course of astronomy and revolutionized the subject. Yes, there were magnification units before the telescope too. But none of them are used as magnification instruments to look at the celestial bodies. With this, the study of the universe gets another vision and outlook.

Types of Telescopes

1. Refractor Telescopes: This telescope is one of the most common types that is used. The name of this telescope suggests that it acts by refracting light so that it can create an image.

2. Reflector Telescopes: This telescope uses a mirror to form a reflecting image in the eyepiece.

3. Dobsonian Telescopes: This is one type of reflector telescope that is much lighter in weight and much less expensive too. But they have certain disadvantages.

4. Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes: It is quite a different type of telescope that deals with mirrors and lenses altogether.

Three main functions of a telescope:

1. It gives a brightened version which is also known as the light-gathering power.

2. It let us see the fine details and clearer picture also known as resolution.

3. And the most important one. It gives magnified images of the objects.

Formula:

Magnification Formula= objective lens focal length / eyepiece lens focal length