* Reflecting Telescopes (Mirrors): These are typically used for deep-sky observations because they are better at collecting light and are generally larger than refractors.
* Refracting Telescopes (Lenses): These are known for their sharp images and ease of use but are limited in size due to the difficulty in creating large lenses.
Wide-Field Photography: Wide-field astrophotography is usually achieved using specialized equipment like:
* Wide-Field Refractors: These are long-focal-length refracting telescopes designed to cover a large area of the sky.
* Astrophotography Lenses: These are high-quality lenses designed for use with DSLR cameras.
* Fisheye Lenses: These provide extremely wide field of view, but can distort images significantly.
Why the Combination Doesn't Work:
* Optical Issues: Combining a mirror and lens in the way you describe would create significant optical aberrations (distortion and blur). This is because the light paths through the mirror and lens would be incompatible.
* Complexity: Adding a lens to a reflecting telescope adds unnecessary complexity and would likely degrade the image quality.
Alternative Solutions for Wide-Field Imaging:
* Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes: These telescopes incorporate a corrector plate (a thin, curved lens) in front of the primary mirror to reduce optical aberrations and create a wider field of view.
* Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes: Similar to Schmidt-Cassegrain, but use a meniscus lens instead of a corrector plate.
In Summary: There's no common telescope design that combines reflecting mirrors and refracting lenses for wide-field astrophotography. Instead, specific types of telescopes and lenses are used to capture wide-angle images of the night sky.