Newtonian Reflector
The
Newtonian Reflector, also known as catoptrics, is a telescope which
uses a spherical or concave parabolic primary mirror to collect,
reflect and focus the light onto a flat secondary mirror (diagonal).
This secondary mirror in turn reflects the light out of an opening in
the side of the tube and into an eyepiece for focus and magnification.
Advantages
Lowest
cost per inch of aperture compared to refractors and Catadioptrics
since mirrors can be produced at less cost than lenses in medium to
large apertures.
Reasonably compact and portable up to focal lengths of 1000mm.
Excellent
for faint deep sky objects such as remote galaxies, nebulae and star
clusters due to the generally fast focal ratios (f/4 to f/8).
Reasonably good for lunar and planetary work.
Good for deep sky astrophotography (but not as convenient and more difficult to use than Catadioptrics).
Low in optical aberrations and deliver very bright images.
Disadvantages
Requires
regular alignment (collimation) of optics in order to perform at its
best. Badly aligned optics can make the image quality suffer quite
dramatically.
Primary mirror may require re-coating (usually after years of service).
The
open nature of the tube assembly could mean more complicated cleaning
of mirror surfaces when compared to telescopes of other designs.
Generally not suited for terrestrial applications. Image inverted
Slight light loss due to secondary (diagonal) obstruction when compared with refractors.
Catadioptrics
Catadioptrics
are telescopes that use a combination of mirrors and lenses to fold the
light path and direct it for focus and magnification through a hole in
the primary mirror. There are two popular designs, the
Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain. Both designs have similar
advantages and disadvantages. In Maksutov designs the light enters a
thick meniscus correcting lens with a strong curvature. The light then
strikes the primary mirror and is reflected back up to the secondary
mirror that reflects the light out an opening in the rear of the
instrument. The secondary mirror is usually an aluminised spot on the
back of the meniscus corrector. The Maksutov secondary mirror is
usually smaller than the Schmidt's thus giving the Maksutov better
resolution for planetary observing. The Maksutov is usually heavier
than the Schmidt and the thicker correcting lens takes longer to reach
thermal stability. In Schmidt designs the light enters a thin aspheric
Schmidt correcting lens. The light then strikes the primary mirror and
is reflected back up to the secondary mirror that reflects the light
out an opening in the rear of the instrument. Schmidt's usually have
shorter focal lengths thus making them more suitable for fainter deep
sky objects. The thinner corrector plate means the Schmidt is faster to
reach thermal stability.
Advantages
Best
all-around, all-purpose telescope design. Combines the optical
advantages of both lenses and mirrors while cancelling their
disadvantages.
Excellent optics with razor sharp images over a wide field.
Excellent for deep sky observing or astrophotography with fast films or CCD's.
Very good for lunar, planetary and binary star observing or photography.
Excellent for terrestrial viewing or photography.
Focal
ratio generally around f/10. Useful for all types of photography. Avoid
faster f/ratio telescopes (they yield lower contrast and increase
aberrations). For faster astrophotography, use a Reducer/Corrector
lens.
Closed tube design reduces image degrading air currents.
Most are extremely compact and portable.
Easy to use.
Durable and virtually maintenance free.
Large apertures at reasonable prices and usually less expensive than equivalent aperture refractors.
Most versatile type of telescope.
More accessories available than with other types of telescopes.
Best near focus capability of any type telescope
Disadvantages
More expensive than Newtonians of equal aperture.
It is not what people expect a telescope to look like.
Slight light loss due to secondary mirror obstruction compared to refractors.
May suffer from image shift when focusing due to focus design moving the entire primary mirror.
May
have a narrower field of view (Maksutov's) when compared to similar
aperture Newtonians or Refractors due to longer focal lengths.
Refractor
The
Refractor, also known as the dioptrics, is a telescope that uses lenses
to refract, (bend), the light that it collects. This refraction causes
parallel light rays that converge at a focal point at the opposite end,
where they can be magnified by an eyepiece. The large lens at the front
is called the objective lens. The objective lens usually comprises of
two or more individual lenses that are bonded and or arranged together
to make up what is called the objective lens cell. The glass material
used can also vary which will help in the overall performance of the
objective lens.
Advantages
Little or no maintenance and is easy to use.
Reliable due to the simplicity of design.
Excellent for lunar, planetary or binary star viewing.
Good for terrestrial viewing.
High contrast images due to its clear aperture (no central obstruction).
Good colour correction in achromatic designs and excellent in apochromatic, flourite and ED designs.
Sealed optical tube reduces image degrading air currents and protects the optics.
Objective lens is usually permanently mounted and aligned.
Disadvantages
Usually more expensive per inch of aperture than Newtonians or Catadioptrics.
Heavier, longer and bulkier than equivalent aperture Newtonians or Catadioptrics.
The cost and bulk factors usually limit the maximum size to smaller apertures.
Less suited for observation of deep sky objects such as distant galaxies and nebulae because of practical aperture limitations.
Some colour aberration in achromatic designs (doublet).
Poor
reputation due to low quality imported toy telescopes; a reputation
unjustified when dealing with a quality refractor from a reputable
manufacturer.
