What is the difference between a refracting and reflecting telescope?

Telescopes are used to observe the heavens and provide an up-close look at celestial bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies. There are two main types of telescopes: refracting and reflecting telescopes.

A refracting telescope uses lenses to bend and focus light. The objective lens, which is at the front of the telescope, collects and refracts light to form an image at the focal point. This type of telescope is typically long and narrow, and is commonly used for terrestrial viewing, stargazing, and astrophotography.

A reflecting telescope, on the other hand, uses mirrors to reflect and focus light. The primary mirror is at the back of the telescope, and reflects light to the secondary mirror, which then reflects the light to the eyepiece. Reflecting telescopes are typically shorter and wider than refracting telescopes, and are popular for deep-sky viewing due to their larger aperture and wider field of view.

Overall, both types of telescopes have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between a refracting and reflecting telescope will depend on the user's needs and preferences.