GROUP-6

ASTRONOMICAL TELESCOPE

Group Members:
RISHABH PRATAP SINGH2022CEB1027
RISHI GAUTAM 2022CEB1028
SAURAV RAY 2022CEB1029
SHAN-E-ALAM 2022CEB1030
TELESCOPE

A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission,

absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally meaning
only an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination
of both to observe distant objects, the word telescope now refers to a wide
range of instruments capable of detecting different regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum, and in some cases other types of detectors.

Type of telescopes-
There are several types of telescopes commonly used in astronomy. Here
are some of the main types:
▪ Refracting Telescope: This type of telescope uses a lens to gather
and focus light. It resembles a typical camera lens but has a much
longer focal length. Light enters the telescope and passes through
the lens, which refracts or bends the light to bring it to a focus at the
eyepiece or camera.

▪ Reflecting Telescope: Instead of using a lens, reflecting telescopes

use a curved mirror to gather and focus light. The primary mirror
collects and reflects the light to a secondary mirror, which then
directs the light to the eyepiece or camera. Reflecting telescopes
are often more popular for larger telescopes due to their simpler
design and lower cost.

▪ Catadioptric Telescope: These telescopes combine elements of

both refracting and reflecting telescopes. They use a combination of
lenses and mirrors to gather and focus light. The most common type
of catadioptric telescope is the Schmidt-Cassegrain, which uses a
 corrector lens and a primary mirror to fold the optical path, making
the telescope more compact.

Materials Required
Segment 1:

Segment 2:

Lens:

Lenses:
Achromatic objective lens - Diameter 50mm & Focal length
700mm - 1No.
Eyepiece - Focal length 25mm - 1No.

Segment-1:

Diameter 50mm (ID) PVC joint - 1No.

Diameter 50mm (OD) x 500mm long PVC pipe - 1No.

Segment-2:

Diameter 40mm joint - 2Nos.

Diameter 40mm x 220mm pipe - 1No.

Diameter 40mm x 25mm pipe - 1No.

Diameter 40mm to Diameter 25mm reducer - 1No.

Diameter 25mm x 160mm pipe - 1No.

Diameter 25mm joint - 1No.

Masking tape

Working –

The working of a telescope involves the collection and

magnification of light to observe distant objects. The basic
principle is to gather as much light as possible and focus it to
create a clear and magnified image. The specific working
mechanism can vary depending on the type of telescope, but
here is a general overview:
 ▪ Light Collection:

The telescope's primary function is to gather as much light as

possible. This is typically achieved using a large objective lens
or a concave mirror, depending on the type of telescope. The
larger the objective, the more light it can collect.

▪ Focusing:

Once the light is collected, it needs to be focused to form an

image. In refracting telescopes, the light passes through a
series of lenses that bend (refract) the light to converge at a
focal point. In reflecting telescopes, the light reflects off a
curved mirror, which directs it to a secondary mirror that further
reflects the light to the eyepiece or other imaging devices.

▪ Eyepiece or Imaging:

The focused light is directed to an eyepiece or imaging device,

such as a camera or a digital sensor. The eyepiece allows the
observer to view the magnified image directly. In modern
telescopes, digital cameras and sensors are commonly used to
capture the image for further analysis and documentation.

▪ Magnification:

Telescopes can magnify the image of distant objects, allowing

us to see them in greater detail. Magnification is achieved by
using an eyepiece with a specific focal length
 Ray Diagram-

Magnification:

For image at infinity:

As the image gets magnified for the observer, the position of each feature
in the image moves to a larger and larger angle off the centreline (i.e., the
line looking straight ahead). Hence the magnification can be figured as
the ratio of the angle seen at the eyepiece to the angle seen by the
objective lens. For our analysis, let's define some terms:

M= angle subtended by image at eye/ angle subtended by object at

unaided eye

Angle seen at objective = A’B’/focal length of objective lens = h/fo.

Angle seen at eyepiece = A’B’/focal length of eyepiece lens = h/fe.

We will also define the focal length of each lens, that is, the distance from
the lens where it focuses light to a point.

Focal length of objective = 700mm

Focal length of eyepiece = 25mm

Then the telescope's magnification

will be M= (h/fe)/(h/fo)

and after we cancel the h's in top & bottom and rearrange, we get:

M = fo/fe

** In our case, by the data and formulas above;

Magnification = 700/25 = 28

Procedure
1. Collect the required material and cut the PVC pipes to the length
mentioned above.
2. Connect the pieces of Segment 1 and 2 as shown in the figure.
3. Using masking tape, fit the objective lens in the joint of Segment
1(50mm diameter joint).
4. Use masking tape to fit the eyepiece lens to the other side in Segment
2(25mm diameter joint).
5. Insert segment 2 into segment 1 such that the total length of the
telescope equals the sum of the focal length of both the eyepiece and
objective lens.
6. Use masking tape wherever necessary to fix the position.

Observations and Results-

The resulting image depends upon several factors such as the
quality of lens used, the net magnification and the atmospheric
conditions like the presence of clear sky. For observing stars and
the moon, we had to use the telescope in a dark location and let
our eyes adjust to the darkness.
Limitations-
▪ Light gathering power-
The ability of a telescope to collect a lot lighter than the human
eye is its light-gathering power. The telescope acts as a ``light
bucket'', collecting all the photons that come down from a
faraway object. This makes faint images brighter. Very far away,
faint objects can be seen only with BIG objective telescopes.
Making faint images brighter is critical if the light is going to be
dispersed to make a spectrum. The area of the objective is the
determining factor.

▪ Resolving power-
Resolving power of a telescope is defined as the reciprocal of
the smallest angle subtended at the objective lens of the
telescope by two-point objects which can be just distinguished
as separate.
The limit of resolution (or resolving power) is a measure of the
ability of the objective lens to separate in the image adjacent
details that are present in the object. It is the distance between
two points in the object that are just resolved in the image.
▪ Chromatic aberrations-
Achromatic refractors use lenses that are not extensively
corrected to prevent chromatic aberration, a rainbow halo that
sometimes appears around images seen through a refractor.
Instead, they usually have "coated" lenses to reduce this
problem. Apochromatic refractors use multiple-lens designs or
lenses made of glass (such as fluorite) to prevent chromatic
aberration. Apochromatic refractors are much more expensive
than achromatic refractors. The lens used is specially designed
to control the effects of chromatic distortion or aberration (a
defect of optical lenses to bring the focus of all colors to the same
convergence point) and is called an achromatic lens.

Uses and applications-

▪ Deep Space Exploration:
Astronomical telescopes play a crucial role in deep space
exploration. Large telescopes, such as space-based
observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope, enable
scientists to study distant galaxies and cosmic events, helping
us understand the formation and evolution of the universe.
▪ Planetary Research:
Telescopes allow astronomers to study planets in our own solar
system. They help in examining the surfaces of planets, their
atmospheres, weather patterns, and other features. Telescopes
have been instrumental in providing valuable data about planets
like Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and their moons.
▪ Visual Observations:
Telescopes allow astronomers to visually observe celestial
objects, providing magnification and clarity that is not possible
with the naked eye. Astronomers can study the surface features
of planets, observe the phases of the Moon, and even view
distant galaxies.

Future Aspects -
In the future, telescopes will likely become larger and, therefore
powerful, overcoming the limitations our sample telescope faced.
Additionally, we can expect telescopes to be equipped with
advanced instrumentation and data processing capabilities,
enabling us to extract even more information from our
observations. These powerful telescopes will enable us to make
even more detailed observations of the universe and study the
properties of dark matter and dark energy, even gravitational
waves. In the future, telescopes are expected to continue
advancing in several areas, such as: Larger and more powerful
telescopes: New telescopes are being developed with larger
mirrors, more advanced imaging technology, and improved
adaptive optics to correct atmospheric distortions. Wider range
of wavelengths: Telescopes are designed to observe light across
a broader range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio
waves to X-rays and gamma rays. This will enable us to study a
broader range of objects, from the most distant galaxies to the
tiniest subatomic particles. More automated and efficient
observation: Advances in artificial intelligence and machine
learning are making it possible to automate some aspects of
telescope observation and data analysis. This will allow
telescopes to scan the sky more quickly and accurately and
produce more reliable data.

Reference Taken By -
https://science.howstuffworks.com/telescope2.htm
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/achromatic-lens
https://unacademy.com/content/jee/studymaterial/physics/astronomical-
telescopes/
http://www2.phy.ilstu.edu/~bkc/astronomy/telescop/telescpb.htm
http://www.alevelphysicsnotes.com/astrophysics/telescopes.html