AT - Telescopes LESSON

Telescopes

Telescope graphicTelescopes are one of the first tools astronomers used to advance their views of the sky. This tool led to many updated theories and helped to establish that we have a heliocentric universe. Today's technology advancements have resulted in upgraded telescopes that are larger and can even be used in space. Many different types of telescopes are placed around the world in specific locations.



Types of Telescopes

Here are many different types of telescopes that are used for different purposes: 

  • Optical Telescopes date back before Galileo Galilei as scientists began finding and developing ways for their eyes to "see" beyond the Earth and high up into the sky above. Galileo was determined to improve current technology and he did.   He was able to use his version of the telescope to explore the area around Jupiter leading to the discovery of Jupiter's four main moons.   Optical telescopes today have become larger and more mobile.   They can be found in science classrooms, at observatories on mountains, and even orbiting the Earth out in space.
  • Radio Telescopes are parabolic-shaped telescopes that use radio waves emitted by celestial objects instead of the light they are reflecting. These telescopes have been used to identify and give us information about pulsars and quasars.

Spectroscopes are used by astronomers to analyze the different wavelengths of light.   This has helped with the classification of stars based on determining the composition of the stars due to the colors they emit.

Using these resources and tools, astronomers create Star Charts to help us map out the objects in the sky and to also help with nautical navigation.

 

 

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