Catoptrics

Catoptrics deals with the phenomena of reflected light and image-forming optical systems using mirrors. From the Greek κατοπτρικός (specular)[1].

The book Catoptrics attributed to Euclid[2] covered the mathematical theory of mirrors, particularly the images formed by plane and spherical concave mirrors.

The first practical catoptric telescope (the "Newtonian reflector") was built by Isaac Newton as a solution to the problem of chromatic aberration exhibited in telescopes using lenses as objectives (dioptric telescopes).

See also

References

  1. ^ A Concise Dictionary of the English and Modern Greek Languages by Antonius Nicholas Jannaris, 1895 J. Murray
  2. ^ Reading Euclid by J. B. Calvert, 2000 Duke U. accessed 23 October 2007