Talk:Astrograph

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[edit] Expanded article

The original article stated "An astrograph is basically a Newtonian reflector but uses a hyperbolic mirror instead of a parabolic mirror or spherical mirror". I have come across other statements [1] that:

An astrograph is a REFRACTOR with a short focal length and a wide field of view, intended for photographic use. Often the objective of an astrograph has more than two lenses. A Schmidt telescope or a Newtonian aren't astrographs, even if they are equipped for photography, because they aren't refractors. And the Newtonian doesn't even have a wide useful field of view.
  • Is the no. 1 definition of an "astrograph" that it is a REFRACTOR?
  • Or is "astrograph" defined by what it does? ---> Wide field large format photography or imaging of the night sky.

If it is the second definition then a Schmidt camera is an astrograph. If not then my weasel statment "although there are many (usually larger) reflecting designs such as the Ritchey-Chrétien and Catadioptrics such as the Schmidt camera" should probably be removed. (ratting my self out there ;^)). Halfblue 03:06, 18 October 2006 (UTC)