This section describes the details of different optical designs and how they function.  Specific information is given as to what optical aberrations arise in each design and how they are dealt with (or not, as the case may be).  Reading the section on Optical Aberrations will give a better understanding of the different aberrations that can occur, why they arise, and how they are minimized or eliminated.  This section is intended to be more thorough and advanced than the Equipment Basics section on telescope designs.  For a simple introduction to optical designs, see the Equipment Basics page.  For more detailed information, read on!

Optics 101 Page