To produce the sharpest images of very distant objects, the best shape for the polished surface of a large astronomical mirror should be:

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A parabolic shape is optimal for reducing spherical aberration, which is a distortion of the image caused by a spherical surface not focusing all rays of light to the same point. This is important for astronomy because distant objects can appear blurry or indistinct without a precise focus. An elliptical shape may be used for some specialized telescopes, but a parabolic shape is generally considered the best choice for large astronomical mirrors.

To Produce the Sharpest Images of Very Distant Objects, the Best