coudé telescope

[ koo-dey ]

noun

a telescope in which light from the primary mirror is reflected along the polar axis to additional mirrors, and in which the focus (coudé focus ) is independent of the telescope's motion, permitting the use of heavy instruments without disturbing the delicate balance of the telescope.

Origin of coudé telescope

1920–25; <French coudé bent, elbowed, past participle of couder to bend, verbal derivative of coude elbow ≪ Latin cubituscubit

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