What are the similarities between the operation of a radio telescope and that of an optical reflecting telescope?

They both intercept,focus and determine the intensity of an incoming radiation but at different degree.

Explanation:

Radio telescope is much larger than optical telescope because radio wavelengths are much longer than optical wavelengths. The longer the wavelengths implies that the radio waves has a lower energy than optical light waves. So, in order to collect enough radio photons to detect a signal, the radio dishes must be very large.

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explanation:

close lines strong magnet less close weaker