microscope / telescope

TELESCOPE
How a telescope operates

1. When parellel rays from a distant object pass through the objective lens, the first image, I (1)
which is real, diminished & inverted compared to the distant object and on the focal plane of
the objective lens (or eyepiece lens) is formed

2. The first image, I (1) then becomes the object at a distance, f (e) from the eyepiece lens which
functions as a magnifying glass to produce the final image, I (2)

3. The final image, I (2) is virtual, magnified, & inverted compared to the distant object

4. The position of the eyepiece lens is adjusted so that the final image, I (2) is at infinity. This
adjustment, when the final image, I (2) is at infinity, is known as normal adjustment of telescope
L = f(o) + f(e) ← not times

m = f(o)/f(e)

MICROSCOPE
1. When light rays from object O at distance between f(e) and 2f(e) in front of the objective lens
pass through the objective lens, the first image, I (1) which is real, magnified, & inverted,
compared to object O and between the focal point, f(e) and the optical centre of the eyepiece
lens is formed.

2. The first image, I (1) then becomes the object at a distance less than f(e) from the eyepiece lens
which functions as a magnifying glass to produce the final image, I (2)

3. The final image, I (2) is virtual, magnified, & inverted, compared to object O

4. The position of the eyepiece lens is adjusted so that the final image I (2), is at near point, N of
the observer’s eye to achieve the clearest vision. The adjustment when the final image, I (2) is
at the near point of the observer’s eye is called normal adjustment of compound microscope.
L > f(o) + f(e) [normal adjustment]
m = m(o) x m(e)

MAGNIFYING GLASS
1. In order to get a magnified image from a magnifying glass of focal length, f, the object should be
positioned at a distance less than a focal length, f from the magnifying lens (object distance) u <
focal length, f

2. The position of the magnifying glass or object is adjusted so that the image is at near point, N of
the observer’s eye to achieve the clearest vision. This adjustment when the image is at the near
point of the observer’s eye is known as normal adjustment of magnifying glass.

microscope / telescope 1
microscope / telescope 2