This is the first volume of a monumental work that is intended to give a complete treatment of reflecting telescope optics. It addresses the specialists in the field, both in the astronomical community and in industry. Consequently, subjects such as practical alignment, test techniques, and maintenance aspects occupy a significant part. Whereas the second volume will concentrate on technical aspects and modern developments, this book is devoted to the theory of reflecting telescope optics and with its historical development it should also be useful to students.

R.N. Wilson's two-volume treatise has become a classic in its own right. Addressing the professional in research and industry as well as students and amateur astronomers, this first volume, Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development, treats the theory of reflecting telescope optics and systematically recounts the historical progress. The book is richly illustrated including spot-diagrams analysing special systems in modern form. In this second edition , the historical section has been revised, improvements have been made, and new technologies added. The concluding part II treats Manufacture, Testing, Alignment, Modern Techniques.

From the reviews
"... an unequalled reference for those who have interest in the field ... a unique reference in a superb presentation." ESO Messenger

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

R.N. Wilson's two-volume treatise on reflecting telescope optics has become a classic in its own right. It is intended to give a complete treatment of the subject, addressing professionals in research and industry as well as students of astronomy and amateur astronomers. This first volume, Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development, is devoted to the theory of reflecting telescope optics and systematically recounts the historical progress. The author's approach is morphological, with strong emphasis on the historical development. The book is richly illustrated including spot-diagrams analysing special systems in modern form. In this second edition , the historical section has been revised. Also, various improvements to the text have been made, and new systems such as the 4-lens corrector of Delabre and the LADS corrector are now covered. The concluding Part II treats manufacture, testing, alignment, and modern techniques.

Inhalt
Historical introduction.- Basic (Gaussian) optical theory of telescopes.- Aberration theory of telescopes.- Field correctors and focal reducers or extenders.- Major telescopes from Lord Rosse to about 1980.