How does a telescope work?

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

$Illustration comparing a reflecting telescope, which uses mirrors to focus light, and a refracting telescope, which uses lenses, both mounted on tripods and pointed at the night sky.$

Galileo's telescopes

Side-by-side comparison of the Carina Nebula, with the James Webb Space Telescope image on the left showing sharp, detailed stars and gas clouds, and the Hubble image on the right with softer, more diffuse colors.

Comparison between the Hubble and Webb space telescopes.

How does a telescope work?: Media

Images

$Illustration comparing a reflecting telescope, which uses mirrors to focus light, and a refracting telescope, which uses lenses, both mounted on tripods and pointed at the night sky.$

reflecting and refracting telescopes

A reflecting telescope focuses light rays by reflecting them off a curved mirror....

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Galileo's telescopes

Galileo's telescopes

Two of Galileo's first telescopes; in the Museo Galileo, Florence.

Scala/Art Resource, New York

Interactives

Side-by-side comparison of the Carina Nebula, with the James Webb Space Telescope image on the left showing sharp, detailed stars and gas clouds, and the Hubble image on the right with softer, more diffuse colors.

Carina Nebula comparison: James Webb vs. Hubble Space Telescope

Slider to compare views of the star-forming region NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula...

NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

Comparison between the Hubble and Webb space telescopes.

Comparison of Hubble and Webb space telescopes' images

The Webb's increased detail is a product of its larger mirror.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.