The Earth and Beyond

Other Telescopes.

Modern telescopes do not just collect light waves.
Stars emit electromagnetic waves of all types,
and information from the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum
is collected by different telescopes operating in different regions.
Some of these are listed below.

The place where the telescope is situated needs to be carefully chosen.
Gamma rays and X-rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere
and do not reach the Earth's surface.
Telescopes receiving Gamma rays and X-rays  must be in space.

Other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum
are also affected by the Earth's atmosphere.

The Hubble telescope is in space because
it receives clearer images outside of the Earth's atmosphere
than other visible light telescopes on the Earth's surface.
The image at the Earth's surface can be blurred
(by dust and pollution in the atmosphere)
and less distinct because of other sources of light
from street lights, towns and cities (called light pollution).

The SPT (South Pole Telescope) is in Antarctica which is very dry
(and cold) because it receives microwaves which would
be absorbed by water molecules in the Earth's atmosphere.

The information gained by modern telescopes have helped our
understanding of what the Universe is, and what it is made from.
Improvements in the magnification of telescopes
have led to new stars and galaxies being seen for the first time.
Also objects in the Universe which can not be seen
with visible light can now be detected.

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Copyright © 2012 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.