Here's why:
* Light Gathering Power: This refers to a telescope's ability to collect light from distant objects. The more light a telescope collects, the fainter the objects it can see.
* Surface Area: The amount of light a mirror can gather is directly proportional to its surface area. A larger mirror will capture more light than a smaller one.
Odd shapes vs. standard shapes: While standard circular mirrors are the most common, other shapes can be used and have their own advantages:
* Rectangular mirrors: Offer wider field of view.
* Segmented mirrors: Can be used to build very large telescopes by combining smaller segments.
In summary: The shape of a telescope mirror can influence its field of view and other factors, but the primary factor determining its light-gathering power is its surface area.
