Primary Mirror
In space and astronautical engineering, the primary mirror is the main optical component of a telescope or other optical system that gathers and focuses the incoming light. It is typically a concave mirror made of glass or other materials with high reflectivity and low thermal expansion. The primary mirror is responsible for collecting and reflecting the light from the observed object to the secondary mirror or other optical elements, which then further manipulate the light to form an image. The size and shape of the primary mirror determine the resolution and light-gathering power of the telescope or optical system. The primary mirror is often the largest and most expensive component of a telescope or space observatory.
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