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Although many credit Isac Newton with the
invention if the first reflecting telescope, after some research
I have found that the concept of a refleting telescope came from
a Scottish mathematician James Gregory. He published a description
of the reflecting telescope in "Optica Promota" in 1663,
however he never actually made the telescope. Sir Isac Newton did
construct the first reflecting telescope in 1668. I guess it depends
on how you define invention. Reflecting telescopes are often called
Newtonians.
Reflecting Telescopes use a mirror to gather light and bring the
image to the eyepiece. Reflectors utilize a parabolic mirror that
reflects the image to a focal point. Since the mirror reflects the
image back towards the source, a small secondary mirror set at an
angle reflects the light perpendicular to the tube so that the eyepiece
is attached to the side of the telescope, rather than the end. Reflectors
require some minor maintenance to keep the mirrors in proper alignment.
They are the least expensive telescopes and provide the most light-gathering
abilities for the dollar.
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