Refracting telescope


![Optical diagram of Galilean telescope
y – Distant object ; y′ – Real image from objective ; y″ – Magnified virtual image from eyepiece ;
D – Entrance pupil diameter ; d – Virtual exit pupil diameter ; L1 – Objective lens ; L2 – Eyepiece lens e – Virtual exit pupil – Telescope equals [5]](/uploads/202502/06/Galileantelescope0638.png)
![Woodcut illustration of a 46 m (150 ft) focal length Keplerian astronomical refracting telescope built by Johannes Hevelius.[7]](/uploads/202502/06/Houghton_Typ_620.73.451_-_Johannes_Hevelius,_Machinae_coelestis,_16730638.jpg)
A refracting or refractor telescope is a type of optical telescope that uses a lens as its objective to form an image (also referred to a dioptric telescope). The refracting telescope design was originally used in spy glasses and astronomical telescopes but is also used for long focus camera lenses. Although large refracting telescopes were very popular in the second half of the 19th century, for most research purposes the refracting telescope has been superseded by the reflecting telescope which allows larger apertures. A refractor's magnification is calculated by dividing the focal length of the objective lens by that of the eyepiece.