Secondary Mirror
In a reflecting telescope, the secondary mirror is the smaller mirror located near the front of the telescope that reflects the light gathered by the primary mirror towards the eyepiece or camera. The secondary mirror is usually mounted on a support structure called a spider, which holds it in place and also creates the familiar diffraction spikes seen around bright stars. The size and shape of the secondary mirror can affect the performance of the telescope, particularly its ability to gather light and resolve fine details. Some telescopes use a secondary mirror that can be adjusted to optimize its position and orientation, while others use a fixed secondary mirror that is carefully designed and positioned to achieve the desired performance.
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