re·fract (r
-fr
kt
)
tr.v. re·fract·ed, re·fract·ing, re·fracts
1. To deflect (light, for example) from a straight path by refraction.
See Refraction of Light.
Refracting telescopes use convex lenses to gather light. The lenses refract (bend) the light to bring it into focus. The lens is thicker in the center than it is at its edges. This means that the light bends more at the edges, sending to toward a central focus point. The point of focus is where the image is created.
The Yerkes 40-inch refractor is the largest refracting telescope in the world.
