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Why modern telescopes use mirrors

Why modern telescopes use mirrors

Ray diagram of a Cassegrain reflecting telescope with incoming parallel rays, a parabolic primary mirror, a convex secondary mirror, and rays returning through the hole in the primary to the eyepiece Most large astronomical telescopes are reflectors because mirrors can be made very large and do not separate colours. At A level, the arrangement you need is the Cassegrain telescope.

Reflecting telescopes (A-level only) Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Reflecting telescopes (A-level only)

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Physics Reflecting telescopes (A-level only). Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Physics is one of the most mathematically demanding A Levels -- at least 40% of the marks require maths skills at Level 2 (GCSE) standard or above, so build calculation and graph-handling fluency alongside the conceptual content from the start.

Lessons