List of largest optical telescopes historically

Telescope performance has progressed in many ways since their invention in 1608. The following tables list those steps in performance.

The following is a list of largest single mount optical telescopes sorted by total objective diameter (aperture), including segmented and multi-mirror configurations. It is a historical list, with the instruments listed in chronological succession by objective size. By itself, the diameter of the primary optics can be a poor measure of a telescope's historical or scientific significance; for example, William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse's 72-inch (1.8 m) reflecting telescope did not perform as well (i.e. gather as much light) as the smaller silvered glass mirror telescopes that succeeded it because of the poor performance of its speculum metal mirror.

Chronological list of optical telescopes by historical significance, which reflects the overall technological progression and not only the primary mirror's diameter (as shown in table above).

  Segmented Mirror (Mosaic) Glass Reflector
  Glass Reflector (Metal coating on glass mirror)
  Reflector (Metal mirror)
  Refractor (Lens) or other

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