teleskoopid

Telescopes, or teleskoopid, are instruments that collect and magnify electromagnetic radiation from distant objects, enabling detailed observations of planets, stars, and galaxies. The simplest designs gather light with a lens (refractor) or a curved mirror (reflector), forming an image magnified by an eyepiece or a sensor. Catadioptric systems use both lenses and mirrors.

Optical teleskoopid are mainly refractors and reflectors. Refractors use lenses and offer high-contrast images with low maintenance, but large apertures become bulky. Reflectors use mirrors and can achieve larger apertures at lower cost but require periodic collimation. Catadioptrics combine elements to balance portability and performance.

Beyond visible light, telescopes observe other wavelengths. Radio telescopes use large dishes to detect radio waves; infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray and submillimeter telescopes rely on specialized detectors and platforms such as space missions or high-altitude observatories.

Key terms include aperture, focal length, magnification, and resolving power. Mounts are typically alt-azimuth or equatorial, with tracking to compensate for Earth's rotation and enable longer exposures.

Historically, telescopes emerged in the early 17th century, with Galileo expanding their astronomical use. Modern facilities include space telescopes such as Hubble and James Webb, and ground-based observatories like Keck, the Very Large Telescope, and ALMA.

Use ranges from professional research to amateur stargazing. Observing quality depends on light pollution, atmospheric seeing, and weather. Solar viewing requires protective filters and safety precautions.

Maintenance includes regular collimation for reflectors, careful cleaning of optics, and proper storage to protect components.