Telescope explained to kids

A telescope is a tool that makes distant objects appear closer. It does this by collecting and focusing light. The first telescopes were invented in the early 1600s. People used them to look at the stars. Telescopes come in many different sizes. The largest telescopes are called "reflecting telescopes" because they use mirrors to collect and focus light. The biggest reflecting telescope in the world is the Keck Observatory. It is located in Hawaii. The Keck Observatory has two telescopes. Each telescope is about 33 feet (10 meters) across! Smaller telescopes are called "refracting telescopes." They use lenses to collect and focus light. The largest refracting telescope in the world is located in Russia. It is called the BTA-6. Telescopes can also be used to take pictures of distant objects. The Hubble Space Telescope is a telescope that is in space. It takes pictures of distant stars and galaxies. You can also find telescopes at some museums. Some telescopes are so big that people can go inside them!