There are so many different types of telescopes available these days that it can be hard to keep track of them all.  Fortunately, for the average amateur astronomer, there are only three main types of telescopes:  the refractor, the Newtonian, and the Schmidt-Cassegrain.  These are by no means the only types available to amateurs - and other types are becoming popular - but these are the most common.  Increasingly popular variations on each main type are discussed as well.

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