Definition

1. Noun:
   • Astronomical telescope: An optical instrument, typically tubular in shape, that uses a system of lenses and/or mirrors to collect and focus light, enabling the observation of distant celestial objects such as stars, planets, and galaxies.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Kính thiên văn cho phép chúng ta nhìn thấy các chi tiết trên bề mặt Mặt Trăng. (The astronomical telescope allows us to see details on the surface of the Moon.)
  • Galileo là một trong những người đầu tiên sử dụng kính thiên văn để nghiên cứu thiên văn học. (Galileo was one of the first to use an astronomical telescope for astronomical study.)
  • Đài quan sát mới được trang bị một chiếc kính thiên văn rất mạnh. (The new observatory is equipped with a very powerful astronomical telescope.)

Advanced Usage

• "kính thiên văn phản xạ": Reflecting telescope. A type of telescope that uses a curved mirror as its primary element to gather and focus light.

  • Kính thiên văn phản xạ thường được dùng cho các quan sát thiên văn chuyên sâu. (Reflecting telescopes are often used for deep-sky astronomical observations.)

• "kính thiên văn khúc xạ": Refracting telescope. A type of telescope that uses a lens as its primary element to gather and focus light.

  • Kính thiên văn khúc xạ đầu tiên được phát minh vào thế kỷ 17. (The first refracting telescope was invented in the 17th century.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ống nhòm (n): Binoculars. A handheld optical instrument using two parallel telescopes, typically used for terrestrial or general observational purposes.

  • Chúng tôi dùng ống nhòm để ngắm chim. (We use binoculars for bird watching.)

• Kính viễn vọng (n): Telescope. A more general term for any instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer. It can be used interchangeably with "kính thiên văn" but can also refer to non-astronomical telescopes (e.g., terrestrial spotting scopes).

  • Kính viễn vọng không gian Hubble đã chụp được những bức ảnh tuyệt đẹp. (The Hubble Space Telescope has captured beautiful images.)

Synonyms

• Telescope: The general term for an optical instrument for viewing distant objects.
• Astronomical scope: A less common synonym emphasizing use in astronomy.

Related Idioms

Note: "Kính thiên văn" is a technical term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.

1. Astronomical telescope