Space Observations | Experiment 1 - Telescopes: How do different combinations of lenses affect the image?
Experiment 1
Telescopes: How do different combinations of lenses affect the image?
Purpose/Hypothesis
Telescopes take advantage of the properties of light to enlarge and focus images. The basic design of a telescope aligns two lenses a set distance from each other. In general, the objective lens is relatively large in diameter so that it can gather light; the eyepiece is smaller and stronger. For this experiment, you will test different combinations of convex (curving outward) and concave (curving inward) lenses. If possible, try to gather several different strengths and sizes of lenses; the listed sizes are only suggestions. Check the For More Information section for places to find lenses.
The objective lens will always be a convex lens. This lens should be larger in diameter and weaker than the eyepiece lens. The thinner a lens is in the center, the...
[The entire page is 1584 words long]