I thought reflectors weren't supposed to show chromatic aberrations?

[Buqibu]

I was at a public viewing site and looked through a reflector. Can't say the exact model, but when I looked at Venus through it there was this crazy rainbow blue and red fringing around it. Thought it looked very odd, even more so than in my achromatic refractor. Any ideas why this could be? It was relatively low near the horizon, could've also been slightly out of focus, but still surprised me

[Davey-T]

Atmospheric effect normal for low planets, folk use an ADC to try to reduce it.

Dave

[fifeskies]

Atmospheric dispersion from its low altitude is contributing to this.

While the mirror in a refractor wont cause chromatic aberration, the lens elements in the eyepiece can produce this.

 

[rl]

Reflectors don't show chromatic aberration, but eyepieces do (especially on venus),  and the atmosphere is one big prism, particularly near the horizon. I suspect the atmosphere was the major culprit on this occasion. You can even buy dispersion correctors to get around this problem.

[Buqibu]

Thanks, that makes sense!