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Telescope is an optical instrument which uses lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe distant objects. It observes distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Majorly there are three types of telescopes based on the optical component used:

1. The refracting telescope: uses lenses to form an image.
2. The reflecting telescope: uses an arrangement of mirrors to form an image.
3. The catadioptric telescope: uses mirrors combined with lenses to form an image.