catadioptric telescope

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June 24, 2026

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A catadioptric telescope combines both reflective and refractive optics, incorporating the best features of both refractor and reflector designs. The Schmidt telescope, invented by Bernhard Schmidt in 1930, is a prime example. It uses a spherical primary mirror and a thin correcting lens, called a correcting plate, to compensate for image distortions. This design allows for a wider field of view than conventional reflecting telescopes, making it ideal for large-scale astronomical surveys like the National Geographic Society–Palomar Observatory Sky Survey.12

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telescope
The Schmidt telescope
…in Bergedorf, Germany, designed a catadioptric telescope that satisfied the requirement of photographing larger celestial areas. A catadioptric telescope design incorporates the best features of both the refractor and the reflector—i.e., it has both reflective and refractive optics. The Schmidt telescope has a spherically shaped primary mirror. Since parallel light…
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…in Bergedorf, Germany, designed a catadioptric telescope that satisfied the requirement of photographing larger celestial areas. A catadioptric telescope design incorporates the best features of both the refractor and the reflector—i.e., it has both reflective and refractive optics. The Schmidt telescope has a spherically shaped primary mirror. Since parallel light…
Read More