Spherical Aberration

Spherical aberration occurs when light rays passing through a spherical lens or mirror do not converge at a single point after refraction or reflection. This happens because the edges of the lens or mirror bend light differently than the center. As a result, images can appear blurry or distorted, especially around the edges. In practical terms, this phenomenon can affect cameras, telescopes, and eyeglasses, leading to less sharp images. Optical engineers work to minimize spherical aberration by using specially shaped lenses or mirrors to focus light more accurately.