Can someone help me with the Refracting telescope?

Question

A. What does it look like?
B. How does it capture light?
C. What sets it apart from the other telescopes?
D. In terms of an astronomer, is this telescope practical, or is it better for the everyday person?

Answer 1

It looks like an old fashioned spyglass and it's built up like a camera lens. They are very sharp when designed well because it has no mirror obstructions. Good ones are very very expensive

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refracting_telescope