A parabolic reflector (also known as a parabolic dish or a parabolic mirror) is a reflective device formed in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution. Parabolic reflectors can either collect or distribute energy such as light, sound, or radio waves. Look up reflection in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In mathematics, a paraboloid is a quadric, a type of surface in three dimensions, described by the equation: (elliptic paraboloid), or (hyperbolic paraboloid). ... Prism splitting light Light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that is visible to the eye (visible light) or, in a technical or scientific context, electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength. ... A schematic representation of hearing. ... Radio frequency, or RF, refers to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in which electromagnetic waves can be generated by alternating current fed to an antenna. ...

The parabolic reflector functions due to the geometric properties of the paraboloid shape: if the angle of incidence to the inner surface of the collector equals the angle of reflection, then any incoming ray that is parallel to the axis of the dish will be reflected to a central point, or "focus". Because many types of energy can be reflected in this way, parabolic reflectors can be used to collect and concentrate energy entering the reflector at a particular angle. Similarly, energy radiating from the "focus" to the dish can be transmitted outward in a beam that is parallel to the axis of the dish. Look up focus in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Isaac Newton introduced parabolic mirrors into practical astronomy when he invented the reflecting telescope. The most common applications of the parabolic reflector are in satellite dishes, telescopes (including radio telescopes), parabolic microphones, and many lighting devices such as spotlights, car headlights, and LED housings. Sir Isaac Newton, PRS, (4 January [O.S. 25 December 1642] 1643 – 31 March [O.S. 20 March] 1727) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, inventor and natural philosopher who is regarded by many as the most influential scientist in history. ... Lunar astronomy: the large crater is Daedalus, photographed by the crew of Apollo 11 as they circled the Moon in 1969. ... Ritchey 24 reflecting telescope A reflecting telescope (reflector) is an optical telescope which uses mirrors to reflect light, rather than lenses to pass light. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... 50 cm refracting telescope at Nice Observatory. ... A parabolic microphone uses a parabolic reflector to collect and focus sound waves onto a microphone receiver, in much the same way that a parabolic antenna (e. ... Most of the industrialized theatre world is lit by electric lights/pigeon, which are used both at night and to provide additional light during the daytime and to amuse pylon. ... Spotlight can refer to: SpotLight - a diagnostic application developed by CaseBank Technologies Spotlight - a search technology integrated into the Mac OS X operating system The Spotlight a weekly US newspaper, now out of print In theatre, a spotlight is a particular type of stage lighting which can be used to... A SAAB headlight with combination projector/reflector optics A headlight or headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as night or precipitation. ...

Parabolic reflectors suffer from an aberration called coma. This is only of interest in telescopes because other applications don't require sharp resolution off the axis of the parabola. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... In optics (especially telescopes), the coma in an optical system refers to monochromatic aberration inherent to certain optical designs or due to imperfection in the lens or other components which results in off-axis point sources such as stars appearing distorted. ...

The Olympic Flame is lit using a parabolic reflector concentrating sunlight. The Olympic Flame at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics The Olympic Flame or Olympic Fire is a symbol of the Olympic Games. ... Prism splitting light Sunlight in the broad sense is the total spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. ...

parabolic mirror wok with optical illusion

A toy consisting of two parabolic mirrors that are put together like a wok pan and a lid with a hole in it, gives the optical illusion that something is on the lid, but actually it is at the bottom of the pan below. Image File history File links Parabolische-spiegelwok-gezichtsbedrog. ... Image File history File links Parabolische-spiegelwok-gezichtsbedrog. ... Optical illusion above the parabolic mirror wok A parabolic mirror wok is a pair of parabolic mirrors that are placed with their hollow sides against eachother. ... An optical illusion is a type of illusion characterized by visually perceived images that are deceptive or misleading [1]. Information gathered by the eye is interpreted by the brain to give the perception that something is present when it is not. ... Cooking in a wok A wok on an electric stove The wok (Traditional Chinese: 鑊; Simplified Chinese: 镬; pinyin: ; Cantonese: wok6) is a versatile cooking utensil used especially in East Asia and Southeast Asia. ... An optical illusion is a type of illusion characterized by visually perceived images that are deceptive or misleading [1]. Information gathered by the eye is interpreted by the brain to give the perception that something is present when it is not. ...

See also

• Parabola
• Parabolic trough
• Paraboloid
• Spherical reflector

A parabola The parabola (from the Greek: παραβολή) is a conic section generated by the intersection of a a right circular conical surface and a plane parallel to a generating straight line of that surface. ... A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal collector. ... Hyperbolic paraboloid Paraboloid of revolution In mathematics, a paraboloid is a quadric, a type of surface in three dimensions, described by the equation: (elliptic paraboloid), or (hyperbolic paraboloid). ... A spherical reflector is a reflector shaped like a portion of a sphere, so that light (or other electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves) from a point-source located at the virtual centre point of the sphere will reflect off the mirrored surface and back through the centre point of...

External links

• Solar Death Ray: An imperfect reproduction of a parabolic reflector
• Java demonstration of a parabolic reflector