What are reflecting and refracting telescopes?

By Steve Owens. When you're ready to invest in a stargazing telescope, start by looking at the different models of telescope tube – the bits with the optics in. You can find quite a few different designs. Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather the light. Refracting telescopes use lenses. read more

Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to gather the light. Refracting telescopes use lenses. There are different kinds of reflectors, but in general the refractors all follow the same basic design. Stargazing: Refracting telescopes. Refracting telescopes use lenses to collect and focus the light, just like binoculars do. read more

Reflecting vs Refracting Telescopes. When it comes to telescopes, there are two types; the reflecting and refracting telescopes. The distinction between the two is in how they manipulate the incoming light in order to magnify the image. read more