Kim Delacruz
McDonald Observatory Davis Mountains
N 30 68.084', W 103 01.502';
Elevation 6602.3’ (at HET)
Content:
Optical or light telescopes are those most commonly pictured when the word ‘telescope’ is mentioned, usually as an observer looking through a tube pointed towards a star. McDonald Observatory has a number of these optical telescopes—both reflecting and refracting—but also has telescopes observing other frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. Telescopes can be developed to work in the regions of microwaves, radio, radar, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma, and cosmic radiations. All telescopic observations require the system set-up of
Optical or light telescopes are those most commonly pictured when the word ‘telescope’ is mentioned, usually as an observer looking through a tube pointed towards a star. McDonald Observatory has a number of these optical telescopes—both reflecting and refracting—but also has telescopes observing other frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. Telescopes can be developed to work in the regions of microwaves, radio, radar, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma, and cosmic radiations. All telescopic observations require the system set-up of
“viewed object/object sending signal 
telescope receiver 
observer” with the observer either a person or a computer which is then interpreted by a person.
telescope receiver observer” with the observer either a person or a computer which is then interpreted by a person.Reflection
Optical telescopes can be either reflecting or refracting. Reflecting telescopes use a series of mirrors with an eyepiece for the observer. The largest reflecting telescope at McDonald Observatory uses a mirror array with multiple mirror panels. Refracting telescopes use a series of lenses ending in an eyepiece for the observer. Lenses for telescopes are variable in size, depending on the size of the telescope cylinder.
Monday, June 5, 2006
