Catoptrics

Catoptrics

Catoptrics deals with the phenomena of reflected light and image-forming optical systems using mirrors. From the Greek κατοπτρικός (specular) ["A Concise Dictionary of the English and Modern Greek Languages" by Antonius Nicholas Jannaris, 1895 J. Murray] .

The book "Catoptrics" attributed to Euclid ["Reading Euclid" by J. B. Calvert, 2000 [http://mysite.du.edu/~etuttle/classics/nugreek/contents.htm Duke U.] accessed 23 October 2007 ] 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).

References

ee also

* Dioptrics
* Catadioptrics
* Optical telescope
* List of telescope types
* Image-forming optical system
* Fresnel lens
* Lighthouse lens


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Catoptrics — Ca*top trics, n. [Cf. F. catoptrique. See {Catropric}.] (Physics) That part of optics which explains the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; formerly called… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • catoptrics — [kə täp′triks΄] pl.n. [< Gr katoptrikos < katoptron, a mirror < kata (see CATA ) + ōps, EYE, face] the branch of optics dealing with the reflection of light from mirrors or mirrorlike surfaces catoptric adj …   English World dictionary

  • catoptrics — Anacamptics An a*camp tics, n. 1. The science of reflected light, now called {catoptrics}. [1913 Webster] 2. The science of reflected sounds. [1913 Webster] || …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • catoptrics — catoptric, catoptrical, adj. catoptrically, adv. /keuh top triks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) the branch of optics dealing with the formation of images by mirrors. [1560 70; < Gk katoptrikós, equiv. to kátoptr(on) mirror (kat CAT + op see + tron… …   Universalium

  • catoptrics — ca·top·trics (kə topґtriks) the branch of physics that deals with reflected light …   Medical dictionary

  • catoptrics — n. branch of optics that deals with the reflection of light (from mirrors, etc.) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • catoptrics — ca•top•trics [[t]kəˈtɒp trɪks[/t]] n. (used with a sing. v.) opt the branch of optics dealing with the formation of images by mirrors • Etymology: 1560–70; < Gk katoptrikós < kátoptr(on) mirror (kat cat +op see (cf. diopter, optic)… …   From formal English to slang

  • catoptrics — /kəˈtɒptrɪks/ (say kuh toptriks) noun that branch of optics dealing with the formation of images by mirrors. {Greek katoptrikos of or in a mirror. See ics} –catoptric, catoptrical, adjective …  

  • catoptrics — noun branch of optics dealing with formation of images by mirrors • Derivationally related forms: ↑catoptric, ↑catoptrical • Hypernyms: ↑optics …   Useful english dictionary

  • anacamptics — Catoptrics Ca*top trics, n. [Cf. F. catoptrique. See {Catropric}.] (Physics) That part of optics which explains the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; formerly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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