A catadioptric telescope is a type of optical telescope that combines lenses and mirrors to gather and focus light. This design allows for a compact structure while providing high-quality images. The use of both refractive and reflective elements helps to reduce optical aberrations, making it a popular choice for amateur astronomers. These telescopes often feature a corrector plate at the front, which helps to improve image clarity. Common types of catadioptric telescopes include the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain designs. Their versatility makes them suitable for both planetary and deep-sky observations.