Monday, November 20, 2006

Refracting Telescope: Legacy of Galileo Galilei

What would astronomy be like if Galileo Galilei was not around to discover the earliest working telescope, which is known as the Galileo telescope and considered the model of today’s refracting telescope.

Actually, everyone knows it was not really Galileo Galilei who invented the refractor telescope, but master optician Han Lippershey. Still, many incorrectly credit Galileo Galilei for the discovery of the refractor telescope – perhaps because of the sheer popularity of Galileo as an astronomer and scientist.

And with a famous astronomer associated with the refracting telescope, the popularity has been rubbed off to the scope. Galileo made some of the most important and significant astronomical discoveries in the history of space science, and his work even led to other equally significant modern discoveries. Eventually this astronomical telescope has firmly established an image of being one of the most important and utilized telescope.

Indeed the refracting telescope is perhaps the first telescope that would pop up into one’s mind whenever he is asked about telescopes. And why not? The refractor is the astronomical instrument that is simple yet very efficient for astronomical researches and star gazing sessions.

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