Types of Astronomy Telescopes

There are three basic types of astronomy telescopes, they are Newtonian Reflectors, Refractors, and Catadioptrics telescope. All three kinds of telescopes collect light and bring it to a point of focus so it can be magnified and examined with an astronomy eyepiece. But all these astronomy instruments accomplish this differently.

Astronomy telescopes such as Newtonians, also called catoptrics, usually use concave parabolic primary mirror to collect and focus incoming light. Astronomers like the Newtonian telescope because it has the lowest cost per inch of aperture compared to refractor telescopes and Catadioptrics because astronomy mirrors can be produced at less cost than lenses. This telescope is not suitable for viewing terrestrial objects.

Astronomy Catadioptrics telescopes use a combination of lenses and mirrors to fold the optics and form an image. The Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain are two popular Catadioptrics telescope designs. The Schmidt-Cassegrain has the best all-around, all purpose telescope design for astronomers, by combining the optical advantages of both lenses and mirrors.

Refractor telescopes are what the average astronomer thinks of for "telescope". It can be described as a long thin tube where light passes in a straight line from the front object lens directly to the eyepiece at the opposite end of the tube. Beginning astronomers like refractors, because their easy to use and reliable due to the simplicity of design. They are excellent for lunar, planetary and binary star observing especially in large apertures.