Build Your Own Telescope
Almost all astronomical measurements are made with telescopes. There are three main types of telescopes: refracting telescopes, reflecting telescopes and compound telescopes. In this lab we will concentrate on only the most basic type of telescope, a refracting telescope. A refracting telescope is composed of two lenses, configured so that the user can view distant objects. They were originally used on ships as spyglasses. Although Galileo Galilei was not the inventor of telescope, he was the first person to use a telescope to study the heavens. His observations, during the early 17th century, forever changed our view of the universe. The telescope you will build tonight is very similar to the telescope Galileo used to make his surprising observations. .

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