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However, these revolutionary ideas faced intense opposition. The Catholic Church, which held a literal interpretation of biblical teachings, condemned heliocentrism. Galileo’s advocacy resulted in his trial by the Roman Inquisition, and he spent his final years under house arrest, though he continued scientific work and wrote influential books.
Advancements in Telescope Design: Newton and the Reflective Telescope
As scientific understanding progressed, so did telescope technology. Sir Isaac Newton, in the late 17th century, introduced the reflective telescope that used mirrors instead of glass lenses. These "Newtonian" telescopes employed a curved primary mirror to focus light into a secondary flat mirror, which then directed the image to an eyepiece mounted on the side of the tube.