How do telescopes work?
Check these sites.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/telescope.htm
http://www.hypermaths.org/quadibloc/science/opt01.htm
Telescopes allow us to observe distant objects in space by collecting and magnifying light. The basic principle behind how telescopes work involves two main components: the objective lens or mirror, and the eyepiece.
1. Objective Lens/Mirror: The objective lens is the main component of a refracting telescope, while the mirror is used in a reflecting telescope. Both serve the same purpose, which is to gather incoming light. The objective lens or mirror has a larger area than our eyes, enabling it to capture more light from distant objects.
2. Gathering Light: When light from a distant object enters the telescope, the objective lens or mirror focuses it to form an image at a specific point called the focal point. The larger the objective lens or mirror, the more light is collected and the brighter the image.
3. Magnifying the Image: The eyepiece is used to magnify the image formed by the objective lens or mirror. The eyepiece is essentially a lens that the observer looks through to view the image. It enlarges the focused image, making it appear larger and closer.
By combining the gathering of light from the objective lens or mirror and the magnification of the image using the eyepiece, telescopes allow astronomers to observe celestial objects with more detail and clarity.
There are different types of telescopes, such as refracting telescopes, reflecting telescopes, and compound telescopes, each with its own specific design and variations. The technology and optics involved can get quite complex, but this is a basic overview of how telescopes work.