What types of reflectors are available?
Other common reflecting designs are the Newtonian, Dobsonian and Maksutov-Newtonian. Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors have long optical tubes open at one end, a parabolic (preferred) or spherical primary mirror, and a flat (plane) secondary mirror. Newtonians usually fit on tripods or piers with altazimuth or German equatorial mounts. The open end exposes the primary mirror to dirt, moisture, and air currents. In the hunt for large aperture, short-focus tubes at the lowest cost per inch, Dobsonians are the choice of many astronomers. Dobsonians are Newtonian reflectors with close-to-the-ground, altazimuth or fork mounts. Maksutov-Newtonian rich-field astronomical telescope combines the folded optical path with a short focal length, large aperture design. Its unique viewfinder rotates between the observation setting and the “finding” position to utilize the eyepiece as both a finder/guide and observing ocular.
