NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR Meaning and
Definition
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A Newtonian reflector is a type of telescope design that utilizes a concave primary mirror to gather and focus light. It is named after Sir Isaac Newton, the English physicist and mathematician who introduced this design in the early 18th century. The primary mirror, which is typically parabolic in shape, collects incoming light and reflects it towards the secondary mirror at the top of the telescope tube. The secondary mirror, which is usually flat and inclined at a 45-degree angle, reflects this light out the side of the tube where it can be observed by the eyepiece or a camera.
This design offers several advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need for a large lens as used in refracting telescopes, making Newtonian reflectors more affordable and easier to manufacture. Additionally, this design minimizes chromatic aberration, a distortion of light that can create unwanted color fringing in the image. Newtonian reflectors are also known for their excellent light-gathering capabilities, making them suitable for observing faint celestial objects.
However, there are also limitations to Newtonian reflectors. The secondary mirror obstructs some incoming light, causing a small shadow in the resulting image, known as the central obstruction. This can reduce the telescope's contrast and resolution, particularly for observing small, detailed objects. Balancing the size of the mirror with the obstruction it creates is an important consideration in designing and using a Newtonian reflector.
Overall, Newtonian reflectors are a popular choice among amateur astronomers due to their affordability, simplicity, and versatility for observing a wide range of celestial objects.
Common Misspellings for NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR
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- newronian reflector
- newfonian reflector
- newgonian reflector
Etymology of NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR
The word "Newtonian" in "Newtonian Reflector" is derived from the name of Sir Isaac Newton, the English physicist and mathematician who invented the reflecting telescope design in the late 17th century. Newtonian reflectors use a concave primary mirror to gather and focus incoming light, which is then reflected back up the telescope tube to a secondary mirror. The secondary mirror directs the light out the side of the telescope tube toward an eyepiece, allowing the viewer to observe distant objects. The term "reflector" refers to the fact that this type of telescope uses mirrors to reflect and focus light, as opposed to refracting telescopes that use lenses. Hence, the etymology of "Newtonian Reflector" combines the name of the inventor with the description of the telescope's reflecting design.
