2006-12-19 01:20:37 · 11 answers · asked by Y- linkz 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
They're both telescopes. A refractor uses lenses to focus the light and cause magnification. A reflector has at least one specially shapped mirror in the optical path to focus and magnifiy..
2006-12-19 01:24:36 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reflectors use mirrors to collect the light and form an image, refractors use a lens. Good refractors are very expensive, but they produce very sharp images - they're the preferred choice for planetary and lunar work. Big reflectors can be made much cheaper, but at the cost of inferior image quality - they're more popular for deep sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae.
2006-12-19 01:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by Iridflare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Celestron Nexstar 4se is in truth neither. that is what's termed a catadioptric --- a compound telescope utilizing both mirrors and lenses. specifically a Maksutov-Cassegrain. that is on the middle extra of a reflector than a refractor. The mirrors do the important artwork of gathering the mild and bringing it to a spotlight. The lens at the front of the telescope corrects shortcomings interior the easy (spherioid) structure of the widely used reflect.
2016-11-30 23:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, a reflector is a plane glass surface or any other highly polished surface which compltely reflects light and a refractor may also be made of glass , but when glass is used, light rays normally a part of it because the other part gets reflected, travels through it but not in straight line due to the difference in refractive index of air and glass because they are different and then the light ray emerges out. hope this has helped.
2006-12-19 07:25:23 · answer #4 · answered by *** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A refractor bends light as it passes from one material to another. A reflector makes the light bounce back as it hits the surface.
2006-12-19 23:41:20 · answer #5 · answered by helen g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A refractors lens is the same has one used in ordinary eye specs which means to say it enlarges a image by itself
A reflector is really a concave mirror which focuses light into refractors lens at a certain focal length.
2006-12-19 02:25:19 · answer #6 · answered by robert x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those are types of telescopes right? you must keep first in mind the difference between reflection and refraction. these two are properties of light. reflection happens when light bounces back. refraction, on the other hand, happens when light passes through the object instead of bouncing back. in telescopes, this concept is being used. in reflectors, mirrors are being used so that the image can be seen by the observer. for refractors, lenses are being used since light passes through them. double check this idea in books since books are more reliable than the internet info. bye!
2006-12-19 01:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by glen_tigger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a reflector is a plane glass surface or any other highly polished surface which compltely reflects light
a refractor may also be made of glass , but here (when glass is used) light rays(a part of it coz the other part gets reflects) , trvels through it but not in straight line (due to the difference in refractive index of air and glass is different) , and then thye light ray emerges out
2006-12-19 01:31:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
*Refractors [prisms] direct light via the lense to the eye-piece of a telescope. These lose light in the process.
*Relectors [mirrors] a mirror will reflect more of the light via the lens to the eye-piece, for greater and brighter visibility.
2006-12-21 23:00:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference is whether the light goes through a primary lens or is reflected off of a primary mirror.
Doug
2006-12-19 01:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋