There are three main types of astronomical telescopes - and these are divided into subgroups. They all have their different advantages and disadvantages and they are used in different areas of astronomy.

Refractors (Dioptrics)

• Achromatic
• Non-achromatic
• Apochromatic

Reflectors (Catoptrics )

• Newtonian
• Gregorian
• Classical Cassegrain
• Large liquid mirror telescope
• Ritchey-Chrétien
• Schiefspiegler
• Yolo

Combined Lens-Mirror Systems (Catadioptrics)

• Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Maksutov-Cassegrain

These types can be mounted on different types of mounts.

Altazimuth (ALT-AZ) Mounts

• Altazimuth mount
• Dobsonian mount

Equatorial mounts

• Equatorial mount
• German equatorial mount
• Fork mount