What is the purpose of a telescope?

The purpose of a telescope is to make distant objects appear closer and more detailed, allowing for observation of celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and galaxies that are far away from Earth. Telescopes achieve this by collecting more light than the human eye can, using lenses or mirrors to focus the light, and magnifying the images produced. This capability enables astronomers and hobbyists alike to explore and study the universe in ways that would be impossible with the naked eye.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of a telescope. While measuring distances is a separate function associated with different tools, and making nearby objects appear smaller does not align with the goal of a telescope, which focuses on distant objects. Viewing small organisms is also not a typical use for telescopes; instead, microscopes serve that purpose by magnifying very small details.