In a refracting telescope, the component that gathers and focuses light from distant objects is the ...

In a refracting telescope, the component that gathers and focuses light from distant objects is the ...

• A. Eyepiece lens
• B. Diaphragm
• C. Tripod
• D. Objective lens

Answer: (D)

Gathering and focusing light from distant objects is what makes a refracting telescope work. The objective lens sits at the front and bends the incoming light to form a real image at its focal plane. This image is then magnified by the eyepiece so you can view it enlarged. The diaphragm controls how much light enters the tube but doesn’t create the image, and the tripod merely provides support. So the component that gathers and focuses light is the objective lens.

Gathering and focusing light from distant objects is what makes a refracting telescope work. The objective lens sits at the front and bends the incoming light to form a real image at its focal plane. This image is then magnified by the eyepiece so you can view it enlarged. The diaphragm controls how much light enters the tube but doesn’t create the image, and the tripod merely provides support. So the component that gathers and focuses light is the objective lens.