What are the Purposes of Telescopes

A telescope is an optical tool that gathers and focuses electromagnetic radiation. In simpler words a telescope is an instrument that enables us to see distant objects. Telescopes increase the apparent size of the distant objects as well as their apparent brightness. Telescopes can be used for many different purposes. This article will give you some idea about what are the purposes of telescopes and how to find a telescope for your own purposes.

There are many different kinds of telescopes used for different purposes. Telescopes are broadly classified into two main categories.

1. Optical telescopes

2. Radio telescopes

Optical telescopes are also divided into two types-

1. Galilean refracting telescopes

2. Newtonian reflecting telescopes.

Refracting telescopes use lenses in order to form an image and magnify it. Refracting telescopes in modern day are usually used for terrestrial purposes, bird watching, military hardware and even hunter’s gun sites. Refracting telescopes are often given designations based on the focal length and the refracting lens. This type of telescope is also used in astronomy.

Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather light from distant objects. Reflecting telescope is usually used in astronomy because it is much easier to create a large convex mirror than to create huge lenses that would be necessary to gather light to see far away objects. These types of telescopes are permanently situated at observatories and are mounted on moving platforms. Astronomers will be required to continuously move their telescope in order to keep a star or planer in their field of vision.

Radio telescopes look very different from a common telescope. It is a dish- shaped antenna that gathers radio waves from space that has been emitted by radio sources. Radio telescope is built in large array of telescopes. Radio telescope is primarily used for astronomy and also for military purposes. Today we see a form of radio telescope everywhere around us. The satellite dish is just a modified version of the radio telescope. Radio telescopes have many military applications and have been used to search the galaxies by intelligence departments. This is the same technology that was developed in the World War II and was known as the radar.

A telescope is perhaps the most important astronomical tool. Different telescopes have different purposes. Cassegrain telescope or a Newtonian telescope is used for research purposes. Telescopes are also used for non-astronomical purposes and are often referred to as transits, spotting scopes, monocular, binoculars, camera lenses or spy glasses.

Now-a-days even telescopes come with software. It is basically used to help you find and identify various celestial objects. This on-board software can have any number of objects catalogued. Autostar, the computer software will point the telescope automatically to whatever objects you select. Hence if want to find the telescope that suits your purpose, first you must know what are the purposes of telescopes. Telescopes are also used for educational purposes. Solar telescopes are specialized to observe the hot, bright sun, the nearest star to Earth. Telescopes are also put into space to find out about the distorting effects above the Earth’s atmosphere.

After taking into consideration all the above purposes, we can say that telescopes have been a very important invention in the field of science and technology.

Outdoor telescopes