Editing Parabolic reflector (section)

== Applications ==
[[File:ALMA antennas on Chajnantor.jpg|thumb|Antennas of the [[Atacama Large Millimeter Array]] on the Chajnantor Plateau<ref>{{cite news|title=ALMA Doubles its Power in New Phase of More Advanced Observations | url=http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13002/|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=ESO Announcement}}</ref> ]]

The most common modern applications of the parabolic reflector are in [[satellite dish]]es, [[reflecting telescope]]s, [[radio telescope]]s, [[parabolic microphone]]s, [[solar cooker]]s, and many [[electric light|lighting]] devices such as [[Stage lighting instrument#Spotlights|spotlights]], [[headlight|car headlights]], [[Parabolic aluminized reflector light|PAR lamps]] and LED housings.<ref name="AutoVC-10"/>

[[File:Olympic Torch 2010.jpg|thumb|Lighting the Olympic Flame with a parabolic reflector]]
The [[Olympic Flame]] is traditionally lit at [[Olympia, Greece]], using a parabolic reflector concentrating [[sunlight]], and is then transported to the venue of the Games. Parabolic mirrors are one of many shapes for a [[burning glass]].

Parabolic reflectors are popular for use in creating [[optical illusion]]s. These consist of two opposing parabolic mirrors, with an opening in the center of the top mirror. When an object is placed on the bottom mirror, the mirrors create a [[real image]], which is a virtually identical copy of the original that appears in the opening. The quality of the image is dependent upon the precision of the optics. Some such illusions are manufactured to tolerances of millionths of an inch.

A parabolic reflector pointing upward can be formed by rotating a reflective liquid, like mercury, around a vertical axis. This makes the [[liquid-mirror telescope]] possible. The same technique is used in [[rotating furnace]]s to make solid reflectors.

Parabolic reflectors are also a popular alternative for increasing wireless signal strength. Even with simple ones, users have reported 3 [[decibel|dB]] or more gains.<ref name="AutoVC-11"/><ref name="AutoVC-12"/>
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