{"id":18810,"date":"2023-07-20T06:41:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T06:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imajnearth.com\/?p=18810"},"modified":"2024-01-31T01:32:44","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T01:32:44","slug":"refractor-vs-reflector-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telescopenights.com\/refractor-vs-reflector-telescope\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflector vs Refractor Telescope [Which Is Better?]"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to buying a telescope, the two most common types are reflector and refractor telescopes. Reflector telescopes use mirrors to collect and reflect light, while refractor telescopes use lenses to bend light. The choice between the two depends on what you plan to use the telescope for and your personal preferences. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Refracting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When I first searched for a telescope to observe the night sky, I knew nothing about how a refractor was any better or worse than a reflector. And I found myself asking the following question. Below is what I discovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which telescope is better reflector or refractor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Key takeaway:<\/strong> Choose a telescope based on what you want to use it for.
— Reflectors with larger apertures are better for viewing fainter objects like galaxies and nebulae
— Refractors provide brighter and sharper images of the moon<\/div>

<strong>Moon<\/strong> (def): A natural satellite orbiting a planet or other celestial body. Earth has one moon,(...)<\/div>\" href=\"https:\/\/telescopenights.com\/glossary\/moon\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>Moon<\/a>, planets, and stars
— Apochromatic refractors<\/a> are well-suited to astrophotography <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not sure what you want to use your telescope this article will help as it explores the differences and the pros and cons of reflector and refractor telescopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obvious difference between reflector and refractor telescope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What quickly sets them apart<\/strong>: In the reflector the finderscope<\/a> and seating for the eyepiece sit at the front (or the top), while in the refractor, these are at the back of the telescope tube (see images below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"tabulation
Difference between refractor and reflector telescope<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Reflector or Refractor Telescope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What you choose will depend on your personal preferences. Do you want an instrument that’s compact and easy to transport? Do you want one that’s intermediate in price? And what you want to use the telescope for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Light-gathering capacity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The aperture<\/div>

The size of the primary lens or mirror measured as its diameter in either inches or(...)<\/div>\" href=\"https:\/\/telescopenights.com\/glossary\/aperture\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\">aperture<\/a>, which is the size of the telescope’s primary lens<\/div>
Lens can refer to telescope optics or gravitational light deflection from distant galaxies.(...)<\/div>\" href=\"https:\/\/telescopenights.com\/glossary\/lens\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>lens<\/a> or mirror, determines the amount of light the telescope can gather and how much detail you can see.

Reflectors offer larger apertures for their size, which makes them better for observing faint and distant objects such as nebulas, star<\/div>
Star (def): A spherical mass of plasma held together by gravity. There are several types of(...)<\/div>\" href=\"https:\/\/telescopenights.com\/glossary\/star\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{\"attribute\":\"data-cmtooltip\", \"format\":\"html\"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>star<\/a> clusters, and galaxies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Lens sag’, where the lens becomes distorted by its weight, is why in backyard astronomy you won’t find refractors with larger apertures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Compactness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Refractors are more compact and less bulky than reflectors and therefore better for transporting. It’s also much easier to find a place to store them<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Image Quality <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule – Refractors tend to provide sharper and clearer images with less distortion. Aberrations can affect image quality in both types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for telescopes with compound lenses (different types of glass) to correct color aberrations. Doublets are less costly, but triplets, designed to eliminate this issue, cost more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n