Cassegrain telescope

E481877

A Cassegrain telescope is a reflecting telescope design that uses a combination of a primary concave mirror and a secondary convex mirror to fold the optical path and produce a compact instrument with a long effective focal length.

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf optical telescope configuration
reflecting telescope design
canProvide Cassegrain focus for instruments at back of telescope
differsFrom Newtonian telescope by rear focus through primary mirror
focusesLight through hole in primary mirror
hasAberrationConsideration coma and field curvature depend on specific variant
spherical aberration control by mirror shapes
hasAdvantage compact tube for given focal length
convenient eyepiece position at back of telescope
long focal length suitable for high magnification
hasComponent primary mirror with central perforation
secondary mirror mounted on spider or corrector
hasDesignConstraint primary mirror focal ratio affects tube length
secondary mirror curvature determines amplification
hasDesignGoal provide long focal ratio
reduce telescope tube length
hasDisadvantage central obstruction by secondary mirror
more complex alignment than simple reflectors
hasFocalPlaneLocation behind primary mirror
hasHistoricalAttribution attributed to Laurent Cassegrain
hasImageOrientation inverted image at focal plane
hasMountingInterface back-end focus for cameras and instruments
hasOpticalAxis coaxial primary and secondary mirrors
hasOpticalPath folded optical path
hasProperty compact physical length
long effective focal length
hasRayPath light reflects from primary to secondary then back through primary
hasSecondaryMagnification secondary mirror increases effective focal length
hasTypicalFocalRatio f/10 or longer
hasVariant Dall–Kirkham telescope NERFINISHED
Maksutov–Cassegrain telescope NERFINISHED
Ritchey–Chrétien telescope NERFINISHED
Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope NERFINISHED
classical Cassegrain telescope
isCommonIn research telescopes with multiple foci
isComparedTo Newtonian telescope
isUsedFor amateur astronomy
astronomical observation
astrophotography
high-resolution planetary observation
narrow-field deep-sky imaging
professional observatory telescopes
isUsedIn compact consumer telescopes
large professional observatory instruments
isVariantOf two-mirror reflecting telescope
requires precise collimation of mirrors
uses primary concave mirror
secondary convex mirror
wasProposedIn 17th century

Referenced by (1)

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Laurent Cassegrain hasEponym Cassegrain telescope