Herschelian telescope facts for kids
A Herschelian telescope was invented in the 1780s by William Herschel. It is similar to a Newtonian telescope, except using only one mirror.
In the 1780s, telescopes used metal mirrors which were not very reflective. Each mirror would absorb light and make the image dimmer. So Herschel invented a telescope with a tilted mirror that put the eyepiece in the front.
When mirrors became more reflective, Herschelian telescopes stopped being useful.
Images for kids
-
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
-
A replica of Newton's second reflecting telescope that he presented to the Royal Society in 1672
-
An image of Sirius A and Sirius B by the Hubble Space Telescope, showing diffraction spikes and concentric diffraction rings.
-
Main mirror assembled at Goddard Space Flight Center, May 2016.
-
24 inch convertible Newtonian/Cassegrain reflecting telescope on display at the Franklin Institute
-
The great telescope of Birr, the Leviathan of Parsonstown. Modern day remnants of the mirror and support structure.
.jpg)
