Refracting Telescope: Basic Parts

The refracting telescope is perhaps the most recognizable astronomical telescope we have today. Most students and even children, if they are asked to describe a typical telescope, the description that they would give is that of the refracting telescope. A tube with glasses on both ends; that is the general description of the refractor telescope.

The refracting telescope has three basic components or parts, all of which are very important. The first component of the refractor is the long tube, which is usually black or dark in color. This tube is usually made of wood, plastic or metal. The second component of the refracting telescope that is very important is the combination lens made of glass found at the front part of the tube. This is what we call the objective lens.

Last but not the least is another combination of glass lens which is found on the other end of the tube of the refracting telescope. We call this lens as the eyepiece.

Even if there are now many modern telescopes that exist today, the refracting telescope has very much secured a place in the history of astronomy.