Objective mirrors for telescope

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Thread starter josue2503
Start date Jan 16, 2008
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In summary, objective mirrors serve as the primary optical component in a telescope, responsible for collecting and focusing light to produce clear and detailed images of celestial bodies. They work through reflection and refraction, using the shape and curvature of the mirror to focus and magnify light. These mirrors are typically made of glass coated with aluminum or silver, but may also use more exotic materials like beryllium or silicon carbide. They differ from eyepiece lenses, which are used for magnification and refining the image. While objective mirrors can be replaced or upgraded, it is a complicated and expensive process typically reserved for large and valuable telescopes. Routine maintenance and cleaning is usually enough to keep them in good working condition.

Jan 16, 2008

josue2503

is there anyone know how to make a parabolic mirror at home?

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Jan 16, 2008

turbo

Gold Member

josue2503 said:

is there anyone know how to make a parabolic mirror at home?

There are all kinds of resources for ATMs (amateur telescope makers), and you can locate lots of them by Googling.

Here's one:

http://stellafane.org/atm/atm_main.htm

Jan 22, 2008

Chronos

Science Advisor

Gold Member

Grind it spherical first, then sweat.

1. What is the purpose of objective mirrors for telescopes?

The objective mirror is the primary optical component in a telescope, responsible for collecting and focusing light from distant objects. It is essential for producing clear and detailed images of celestial bodies.

2. How do objective mirrors work?

Objective mirrors use the principles of reflection and refraction to gather light and direct it towards a focal point. The shape and curvature of the mirror determine how the light is focused and magnified.

3. What materials are objective mirrors made of?

In modern telescopes, objective mirrors are typically made of glass coated with a thin layer of aluminum or silver to enhance reflectivity. In some cases, more exotic materials such as beryllium or silicon carbide may be used for their unique optical properties.

4. How are objective mirrors different from eyepiece lenses?

Objective mirrors are responsible for collecting and focusing the light, while eyepiece lenses are used to magnify and further refine the image. The two work together to produce a clear and detailed view of the object being observed.

5. Can objective mirrors be replaced or upgraded?

Yes, objective mirrors can be replaced or upgraded in some cases. However, this process can be complicated and expensive, so it is typically only done for large and valuable telescopes. In most cases, routine maintenance and cleaning can keep objective mirrors in good working condition.