spherical aberration
noun
: aberration that is caused by the spherical form of a lens or mirror and that gives different foci for central and marginal rays
Examples of spherical aberration in a Sentence
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In June 1990, NASA announced the discovery of a spherical aberration on Hubble's primary mirror due to a 2-micron mistake in the curvature of the telescope's primary mirror — about 1/50 the width of a human hair.
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Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Hubble was initially hobbled by an error during the 94.5-inch primary mirror's fabrication that resulted in an optical defect known as spherical aberration, preventing the telescope from bringing starlight to a sharp focus.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 4 June 2024
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Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Hubble was initially hobbled by an error during the 94.5-inch primary mirror's fabrication that resulted in an optical defect known as spherical aberration, preventing the telescope from bringing starlight to a sharp focus.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 4 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Spherical aberration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spherical%20aberration. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
spherical aberration
noun
spher·i·cal aberration
ˈsfir-i-kəl-, ˈsfer- 
: aberration that is caused by the spherical form of a lens or mirror and that gives different foci for central and marginal rays
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