berkeman said:I googled parabolic mirror tutorial, and got lots of good hits. Here's the hit list FYI:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=parabolic+mirror+tutorial
Welcome to the PF, SkyFlyer.
A concave parabolic mirror is a type of curved mirror with a parabolic shape. It is used to reflect and focus light rays to a single point, also known as the focal point. This type of mirror is commonly used in telescopes, satellite dishes, and solar energy collectors.
A concave parabolic mirror works by reflecting light rays that are parallel to the axis of the mirror towards the focal point. This is due to the curvature of the mirror, which causes the light rays to converge at the focal point. The shape of the mirror allows for a more precise and focused reflection compared to flat or convex mirrors.
Concave parabolic mirrors have a wide range of applications, including in telescopes for astronomical observations, satellite dishes for telecommunications, and solar energy collectors for harnessing solar power. They are also used in various scientific experiments and optical systems for their ability to reflect and focus light rays.
The focal point of a concave parabolic mirror is determined by the distance between the mirror and the focal point, known as the focal length. The focal length is equal to half of the diameter of the mirror. The shorter the focal length, the more curved the mirror is, resulting in a smaller focal point and a more focused reflection.
The main difference between concave and convex parabolic mirrors is the direction in which they reflect light. A concave mirror reflects light rays towards a focal point, while a convex mirror reflects light rays away from the focal point. In terms of applications, concave parabolic mirrors are used for focused reflections, while convex parabolic mirrors are used for wide-angle reflections.