TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
REFLECTING TELESCOPE [15 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2023-09-21
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Optical Instruments
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- Dobsonian telescope
1, record 1, English, Dobsonian%20telescope
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- Dobsonian 2, record 1, English, Dobsonian
correct, jargon
- Dob 3, record 1, English, Dob
correct, jargon
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A type of a reflecting telescope in the same design as a Newtonian telescope, but with an altazimuth mount. 4, record 1, English, - Dobsonian%20telescope
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Instruments d'optique
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- télescope Dobson
1, record 1, French, t%C3%A9lescope%20Dobson
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- télescope dobsonien 2, record 1, French, t%C3%A9lescope%20dobsonien
correct, masculine noun
- Dobson 1, record 1, French, Dobson
correct, masculine noun, jargon
- Dobsonien 2, record 1, French, Dobsonien
correct, masculine noun, jargon
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Télescope réflecteur classique de type Newton, mais monté sur une monture azimutale. 3, record 1, French, - t%C3%A9lescope%20Dobson
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2023-09-12
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Optical Instruments
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- reflecting telescope
1, record 2, English, reflecting%20telescope
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- reflector 2, record 2, English, reflector
correct
- reflector telescope 3, record 2, English, reflector%20telescope
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Utilizing two mirrors, a reflector telescope has a concave primary mirror located at the bottom of the telescope. It reflects inbound light to a pinpoint. A second flat mirror set at 45 degrees located below the aperture redirects the light, creating a focal point toward the eyepiece. 4, record 2, English, - reflecting%20telescope
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
There are three main types of reflecting telescopes : the Newtonian telescope, the Cassegrain telescope and the Dobsonian telescope. 5, record 2, English, - reflecting%20telescope
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Instruments d'optique
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- télescope
1, record 2, French, t%C3%A9lescope
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- réflecteur 2, record 2, French, r%C3%A9flecteur
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Les réflecteurs se servent de miroirs au lieu de lentilles pour refléter la lumière sur un foyer : le miroir primaire à l'arrière, gros et incurvé, qui effectue la première focalisation, et le miroir secondaire à l'avant, plus petit, conçu pour rediriger la lumière vers l'œil. Les réflecteurs sont également dotés d'un oculaire. 3, record 2, French, - t%C3%A9lescope
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Il existe trois principaux télescopes : le télescope de Newton, le télescope de Cassegrain et le télescope de Dobson. 4, record 2, French, - t%C3%A9lescope
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Ne pas confondre avec la «lunette astronomique», qui est un réfracteur de lumière. 4, record 2, French, - t%C3%A9lescope
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - external organization data 2021-03-18
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Compartment – Nomenclature 4.0
- Museums and Heritage (General)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- reflecting telescope
1, record 3, English, reflecting%20telescope
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
reflecting telescope : an item in the "Astronomical Tools and Equipment" class of the "Tools and Equipment for Science and Technology" category. 2, record 3, English, - reflecting%20telescope
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Tiroir – Nomenclature 4.0
- Muséologie et patrimoine (Généralités)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- télescope
1, record 3, French, t%C3%A9lescope
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- téléscope à réflexion 1, record 3, French, t%C3%A9l%C3%A9scope%20%C3%A0%20r%C3%A9flexion
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
téléscope; téléscope à réflexion : objets de la classe «Outils et équipement astronomiques» de la catégorie «Outillage et équipement pour les sciences et la technologie». 2, record 3, French, - t%C3%A9lescope
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2009-05-07
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Optics
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- active optics
1, record 4, English, active%20optics
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Optics pertaining to the development and use of optical components whose characteristics are controlled during their operational use; in contrast to inactive, rigid, or fixed optics. 2, record 4, English, - active%20optics
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Active optics is a relatively new technology for reflecting telescopes developed in the 1980s, which has more recently enabled the construction of a generation of telescopes with 8 metre primary mirrors. Active optics works by "actively" adjusting the telescope's mirrors. This method is used by, among others, the Nordic Optical Telescope, the New Technology Telescope and the Keck telescopes, as well as all of the largest telescopes built in the last decade. 3, record 4, English, - active%20optics
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Optique
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- optique active
1, record 4, French, optique%20active
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
En astronomie, l'optique active désigne la technologie qui consiste à déformer un miroir réflecteur à fin d'optimiser sa qualité d'image (mise au foyer), et corriger les différentes aberrations optiques (comme la coma, l'astigmatisme, le trèfle etc). 2, record 4, French, - optique%20active
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
L'optique active ne doit pas être confondue avec l'optique adaptative qui consiste à corriger les déformations de l'image due à la turbulence atmosphérique en temps réel (c'est-à-dire avec une fréquence de quelques Hertz). L'optique active est utilisée, parmi d'autres, par les télescopes suivants : Nordic Optical Telescope, New Technology Telescope à l'Observatoire de La Silla, les télescopes du Very Large Telescope et les Télescopes Keck situés à Hawaii. 2, record 4, French, - optique%20active
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2004-08-06
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- liquid mirror telescope
1, record 5, English, liquid%20mirror%20telescope
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
- LMT 1, record 5, English, LMT
correct
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- liquid-mirror telescope 2, record 5, English, liquid%2Dmirror%20telescope
correct
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A telescope which uses liquid as a reflecting surface. The liquid is spun at a rate which causes it to become a perfect parabolic surface. 2, record 5, English, - liquid%20mirror%20telescope
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Liquid mirror telescopes cannot be tilted and hence cannot track like conventional telescopes do. To track with imagery, narrow-band filter spectrophotometry or slitless spectroscopy, one can use a technique, called time delayed integration (TDI) also known as drift scan, that uses a CCD detector that tracks by electronically stepping its pixels. 3, record 5, English, - liquid%20mirror%20telescope
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- télescope à miroir liquide
1, record 5, French, t%C3%A9lescope%20%C3%A0%20miroir%20liquide
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
- TML 2, record 5, French, TML
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Les télescopes à miroir liquide : Le procédé repose sur un principe simple. Pour réfléchir et concentrer les rayons lumineux en un point, le miroir d'un télescope traditionnel doit être parfaitement parabolique. Or, la surface d'un liquide prend naturellement la forme d'une parabole lorsqu'on le fait tourner sur lui-même [...] le mercure, liquide à température ambiante, réfléchit très bien la lumière. 3, record 5, French, - t%C3%A9lescope%20%C3%A0%20miroir%20liquide
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Les avantages des télescopes à miroir liquide (TML) sont bien connus : facilité de réalisation, très faible coût, même pour un diamètre considérable, et excellentes qualités optiques. Leur inconvénient majeur est, bien sûr, qu'ils ne peuvent «pointer» que la verticale où ils sont installés. [...] Les détecteurs CCD en mode «drift-scan» permettent de «suivre» le déplacement apparent des sources et d'intégrer leur lumière pendant un temps de pose significatif. Ces poses, cumulées sur un certain nombre de nuits, permettent l'observation de «bandes» de ciel avec une profondeur en magnitude apparente tout à fait comparable à celle des observations pointées en imagerie sur un télescope moderne. 4, record 5, French, - t%C3%A9lescope%20%C3%A0%20miroir%20liquide
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2004-02-13
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Optics
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- reflecting liquid
1, record 6, English, reflecting%20liquid
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The reflectivity of mercury does not vary over several weeks within the accuracy of our measurements(±3%). Although throughout this paper I assume that the reflecting liquid is mercury, it should be possible to make liquid mirrors with other reflecting liquids. I [Ermanno Borra] have also considered alloys of the alkali metals that could be used in a lunar or space telescope. 1, record 6, English, - reflecting%20liquid
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Optique
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- liquide réflecteur
1, record 6, French, liquide%20r%C3%A9flecteur
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le volume normal de mercure nécessaire à la réalisation d'un miroir de 1,6 mètre est d'environ dix litres, ce qui veut dire, à 30 dollars le kilogramme de mercure purifié, une somme de 4000 dollars, soit près de 30 pour cent du coût de l'ensemble de l'instrument, seulement pour le liquide réflecteur. 1, record 6, French, - liquide%20r%C3%A9flecteur
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2003-01-06
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Spacecraft
- Remote Sensing
- Astrophysics and Cosmography
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy
1, record 7, English, stratospheric%20observatory%20for%20infrared%20astronomy
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
- SOFIA 1, record 7, English, SOFIA
correct
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
NASA and the DLR, German Aerospace Center, are working together to create SOFIA [Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy]-a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified by Raytheon Aircraft Integration Services to accommodate a 2. 5 meter reflecting telescope. SOFIA will be the largest airborne observatory in the world, and will make observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest of ground-based telescopes. 2, record 7, English, - stratospheric%20observatory%20for%20infrared%20astronomy
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Engins spatiaux
- Télédétection
- Astrophysique et cosmographie
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- observatoire stratosphérique d'astronomie dans l'infrarouge
1, record 7, French, observatoire%20stratosph%C3%A9rique%20d%27astronomie%20dans%20l%27infrarouge
masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1998-08-19
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Scientific Measurements and Analyses
- Geological Research and Exploration
- Astronomy
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- radio telescope
1, record 8, English, radio%20telescope
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A reflecting telescope with a reflecting surface not of glass but of either a metallic membrane or a wire mesh. At the prime focus an antenna picks up the radio signals and feeds them into an amplifier, which in turn feeds the signals into a recording device that records the intensity of the radio waves received(...) 1, record 8, English, - radio%20telescope
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Mesures et analyse (Sciences)
- Recherches et prospections géologiques
- Astronomie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- radiotélescope
1, record 8, French, radiot%C3%A9lescope
correct, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le rayonnement radio émis par des objets cosmiques est capté par des installations spéciales appelées "radiotélescopes" composées d'une antenne et d'un récepteur très sensible. 1, record 8, French, - radiot%C3%A9lescope
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Medición y análisis (Ciencias)
- Investigaciones y prospecciones geológicas
- Astronomía
Record 8, Main entry term, Spanish
- radiotelescopio
1, record 8, Spanish, radiotelescopio
correct, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 8, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Instrumento que sirve para detectar las señales emitidas por objetos celestes en las longitudes de onda de las radiofrecuencias. Está constituido por una antena y un receptor. 1, record 8, Spanish, - radiotelescopio
Record 9 - internal organization data 1993-11-09
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
- Surveying Instruments
- Scientific Instruments
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- prismatic astrolabe 1, record 9, English, prismatic%20astrolabe
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
a portable instrument consisting of a small telescope, a 60-degree prism, and a mercury reflecting basin by which determinations of time, latitude, and azimuth may be obtained from star observations. 1, record 9, English, - prismatic%20astrolabe
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
- Instruments d'arpentage
- Instruments scientifiques
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- astrolabe à prisme
1, record 9, French, astrolabe%20%C3%A0%20prisme
masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
instrument servant à la détermination des points astronomiques. Il est muni d'un horizon artificiel. L'astrolabe est un instrument de mesure des hauteurs des astres. 1, record 9, French, - astrolabe%20%C3%A0%20prisme
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1991-03-22
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- Cassegrain telescope
1, record 10, English, Cassegrain%20telescope
correct
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A reflecting telescope in which the light is reflected from the(parabolic) main mirror onto a convex(hyperbolic) secondary mirror and back through a hole in the center of the main mirror, thence into the eyepiece. 1, record 10, English, - Cassegrain%20telescope
Record 10, Key term(s)
- cassegrainian
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- télescope de Cassegrain
1, record 10, French, t%C3%A9lescope%20de%20Cassegrain
correct, masculine noun
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
- cassegrain 1, record 10, French, cassegrain
correct, masculine noun
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Combinaison optique dans laquelle la lumière se réfléchit sur un miroir principal parabolique concave, puis sur un petit miroir hyperbolique convexe, pour donner une image finale agrandie, à travers un trou percé au centre du miroir principal. 1, record 10, French, - t%C3%A9lescope%20de%20Cassegrain
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1988-03-29
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Research Laboratories and Centres
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- Zelenchukskaya
1, record 11, English, Zelenchukskaya
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, Textual support, English
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 OBS
USSR, the Academy of Sciences Astrophysical Observatory in the Northern foothills of the Caucasus mountains; the Observatory has the world's largest(six metre) reflecting telescope. 1, record 11, English, - Zelenchukskaya
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Laboratoires et centres de recherche
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- Zelenchukskaya
1, record 11, French, Zelenchukskaya
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
- Observatoire Zelenchukskaya astrophysique 1, record 11, French, Observatoire%20Zelenchukskaya%20astrophysique
unofficial, masculine noun
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 OBS
URSS; Observatoire astrophysique de l'Académie des sciences situé au pied du Caucase où se trouve le plus grand télescope du monde (6 mètres). 1, record 11, French, - Zelenchukskaya
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Record 12 - internal organization data 1987-03-12
Record 12, English
Record 12, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 12, Main entry term, English
- Maksutov telescope
1, record 12, English, Maksutov%20telescope
correct
Record 12, Abbreviations, English
Record 12, Synonyms, English
Record 12, Textual support, English
Record number: 12, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A reflecting telescope using a spheroidal instead of a paraboloidal mirror. Before reaching the mirror, the light passes through a concave lens almost as large as the mirror itself to remove the spherical aberration. 1, record 12, English, - Maksutov%20telescope
Record 12, French
Record 12, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 12, Main entry term, French
- télescope de Maksutov
1, record 12, French, t%C3%A9lescope%20de%20Maksutov
proposal, masculine noun
Record 12, Abbreviations, French
Record 12, Synonyms, French
Record 12, Textual support, French
Record 12, Spanish
Record 12, Textual support, Spanish
Record 13 - internal organization data 1987-03-12
Record 13, English
Record 13, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 13, Main entry term, English
- coudé
1, record 13, English, coud%C3%A9
correct
Record 13, Abbreviations, English
Record 13, Synonyms, English
Record 13, Textual support, English
Record number: 13, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Refers to one of several methods for using a reflecting telescope to obtain a long focal length and a fixed image. The image is formed in the coudé room under the floor of the telescope. 1, record 13, English, - coud%C3%A9
Record 13, French
Record 13, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 13, Main entry term, French
- coudé
1, record 13, French, coud%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
Record 13, Abbreviations, French
Record 13, Synonyms, French
Record 13, Textual support, French
Record number: 13, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Dispositif destiné à renvoyer le faisceau lumineux formé dans une lunette ou un télescope, le long de son axe polaire, vers un laboratoire. 1, record 13, French, - coud%C3%A9
Record 13, Spanish
Record 13, Textual support, Spanish
Record 14 - internal organization data 1987-03-12
Record 14, English
Record 14, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 14, Main entry term, English
- cell
1, record 14, English, cell
correct
Record 14, Abbreviations, English
Record 14, Synonyms, English
- mirror cell 1, record 14, English, mirror%20cell
correct
Record 14, Textual support, English
Record number: 14, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The enclosure that holds the primary mirror in a reflecting telescope. It must hold the mirror so that the collimation of the optical elements is maintained as the direction of observation changes. 1, record 14, English, - cell
Record 14, French
Record 14, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 14, Main entry term, French
- barillet
1, record 14, French, barillet
correct, masculine noun
Record 14, Abbreviations, French
Record 14, Synonyms, French
Record 14, Textual support, French
Record number: 14, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Fond du tube du télescope sur lequel repose le miroir principal. Cette pièce est équipée de vis de réglage, de butées et de cales permettant d'axer le miroir et d'empêcher son déversement. 1, record 14, French, - barillet
Record 14, Spanish
Record 14, Textual support, Spanish
Record 15 - internal organization data 1987-03-12
Record 15, English
Record 15, Subject field(s)
- Facilities and Instruments (Astronomy)
Record 15, Main entry term, English
- spider
1, record 15, English, spider
correct
Record 15, Abbreviations, English
Record 15, Synonyms, English
Record 15, Textual support, English
Record number: 15, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The supporting structure for the diagonal or secondary mirror in a reflecting telescope. 1, record 15, English, - spider
Record 15, French
Record 15, Domaine(s)
- Installations et instruments (Astronomie)
Record 15, Main entry term, French
- araignée
1, record 15, French, araign%C3%A9e
correct, feminine noun
Record 15, Abbreviations, French
Record 15, Synonyms, French
Record 15, Textual support, French
Record number: 15, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pièce mécanique qui supporte le miroir secondaire (...) et qui permet un réglage fin de son inclinaison. 1, record 15, French, - araign%C3%A9e
Record 15, Spanish
Record 15, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


