What critical observational limitation did the colored fringing impose on astronomers using early refractors?

Answer

Reduced contrast and lack of true color fidelity obscured subtle details.

The artificial colored glow bleeding in from the edges lowered the overall contrast, making it difficult to discern faint details on targets like Jupiter's cloud bands or subtle lunar topography.

What critical observational limitation did the colored fringing impose on astronomers using early refractors?

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