1. an optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and nearer when viewed directly through lenses (refracting telescope) or indirectly as through images focused by a concave mirror (reflecting telescope).
adj.
2. consisting of parts that slide one within another.
v.t.
3. to force together, one into another, in the manner of the sliding tubes of a jointed telescope.
4. to shorten or condense.
v.i.
5. to slide together in the manner of the tubes of a telescope.
6. to be driven one into another, as railroad cars in a collision.
7. to become condensed.
[1640–50; < New Latin telescopium or Italian telescopio]
His interests were diverse, taking him from the woodworking shop and laboratory he built with his brother, to observing the Moon and planets with a 4-inch Clark refracting telescope mounted on the roof of the family home when Hale was 14, to informally studying architecture with the Chicago architect Daniel H.
In 1608, two Flemish spectacle-makers, Hans Lippershey and Jacob Metius independently of each other applied for patents for the first refracting telescope. News of these novel devices, described as 'for seeing things far away as if they were nearby', soon reached Galileo Galilei who then worked out the principles for himself building his own 8x magnification version in 1609.
He recommended using binoculars adding: "If you use a small reflecting or refracting telescope, you might be able to see the rings of Saturn or even four of Jupiter's moons.
An astronomical observatory at the complex houses a telescopic system comprising a reflecting telescope of 450 mm diameter connected with a refracting telescope of 180 mm diameter, both devices mounted on one base.
Robert Todd Lincoln, considered to be a serious amateur astronomer, constructed an observatory with a six-inch refracting telescope that continues to be used today by the local astronomy club.
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