astronomical telescope

American  

noun

1. a telescope having an objective with a long focal length and an eyepiece with a short focal length, usually used for observing celestial bodies.

---

astronomical telescope British  

noun

1. any telescope designed and mounted for use in astronomy. Such telescopes usually form inverted images See Cassegrain telescope Newtonian telescope equatorial mounting

---

Etymology

Origin of astronomical telescope

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

This innovative method allows a single astronomical telescope to function as a detector for GW signals.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024

Through the lenses of the world's first astronomical telescope, four white spots were clearly visible floating near a brightly shining planet.

From Time Magazine Archive

It has a concave mirror which concentrates heat rays as the mirror of an astronomical telescope concentrates light.

From Time Magazine Archive

Galileo had close ties with Holland, and his first astronomical telescope was an improvement of a spyglass of Dutch design.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

"For observation purposes an astronomical telescope is not of much use unless the movement of the earth is counteracted," he said.

From The Postmaster's Daughter by Tracy, Louis