The telescope was one of the most important inventions of the Seventeenth century. Galileo Galilei made the telescope famous for astronomical observations in 1609. Since then the craft of telescope making has been continually refined.

A telescope in simple words telescope is a device that is used to look at the stars. It is made up of one or two lenses (or mirrors) which collect visible light. The light is then magnified by an eyepiece for enhanced viewing.

Though there are different types of telescopes but the one image that instantly clicks to mind at the word is a refractor type.

They have eyepieces at the back end of an elongated tube. At the front end has an objective lens that focuses the light to a small image. The eyepiece enlarges the image to make it viewable. Refractors are excellent for viewing the celestial bodies.

They are made of finely polished and decorated brass or wood. They may have a tripod or a single stand with which they can be installed on table top or level ground. Others may be handheld type. They are tapered towards the eyepiece. The elegant handcrafted pieces are worth for a window opening in the wide skies.