The telescope design by Galileo is classified as what type, and what are its primary lenses called?

The telescope designed by Galileo is classified as refractive because it uses lenses to bend (or refract) light to form an image. The primary lenses in this type of telescope are specifically called the objective lens and the eyepiece. The objective lens is responsible for gathering light and focusing it to create an image, while the eyepiece magnifies that image for viewing. This design allows for a clear and detailed view of distant objects, which was a significant advancement in telescope technology during Galileo's time.

Understanding the distinction between lens types is crucial; refractive telescopes are designed with multiple lenses to optimize light collection and magnification. The terms used to describe these lenses—objective lens and eyepiece—are standard in the study of optics, emphasizing the role each lens plays in forming and magnifying the observed image.