Astronomical Tools (Chapter 6: Telescopes)

Astronomical Tools(Chapter 6: Telescopes)Astronomy 2014Key VocabularyAngular ResolutionLight Collecting AreaSpectral ResolutionLight PollutionTurbulenceInterferometry Radio Telescope Reflecting Telescope Refracting TelescopeLight Curve Graph

Components of a Telescope:EyepieceObjective LensFocusFilter

2Basic Tools Used in AstronomyReflecting Telescopes

Refracting Telescopes

Astrophotography

TelescopesDevice designed to collect as much light as possible from some distant source and deliver it to a detector for detailed study.

Function very similarly to human eyesLight is intercepted, then focused by a lens to create an image

Two most important properties:Light Collecting AreaHow much light a telescope can collect at one timeAngular ResolutionSmallest angular over which two dots appear distinct

Early History of the Telescope1609: Galileo created the first tool of modern astronomy by fitting his glass lenses into wooden tubes to create a refracting telescope

1672: Sir Isaac Newton created the reflecting telescope by using two polished metal mirrors in place of the glass lens

Astronomical/Telescopic ObservationsImagingObtaining photographs/images of astronomical objectsIncludes light from across all wavelengths of EM SpectrumSpectroscopyProcess of obtaining and studying a spectra of lightTime MonitoringTracking of how an object changes over time (differences in brightness)Displayed as light curve graphsRefracting TelescopesLight is collected by the objective lens.Light is brought to a focus; casts an image at point f.This is then magnified by an eyepiece for viewing.

Reflecting TelescopesLight passes down the open tube and reflects off the concave mirror. The shape of this mirror brings light to a focus. Before the reflected light comes to a focus it is intercepted by a flat mirror suspended in the middle of the tube and sent at right angles out the side of the tube. The image is then magnified by an eyepiece for viewing.

AstrophotographySpecialized type of photography that entails recording images of astronomical objects and large areas of the night sky

The first photograph of an astronomical object (the moon) was taken in 1840not until the late 19th century that advances in technology allowed for detailed stellar photography

Advanced Tools Used in AstronomySpectrometersRadio TelescopesSpace TelescopesHubbleJames Webb Space ObservatorySatellitesRoversSpace Probes

Radio TelescopesUsed to study radio waves from objects in spaceWavelength of 1 millimeter to 10 meters

Key Components:large radio antennahorseshoe-shaped mount supporting a large, metal curved dish that collects signals and reflects them to the focus Radiometer/receiver detects the signals and channels them to a computer

Can operate in all weather conditions because weather conditions do not stop radio waves.

Hubble Space TelescopeNamed after the astronomer Edwin HubbleHubble's orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images7.9 feet wide telescope openingCarried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operationInstruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectra

James Webb Space TelescopeAlso known as Next Generation Space Telescope

A planned space telescope for observations in the infrared Planned for launch October 2018Planned successor to the Hubble Space Telescope

In planning since 1996, the project represents an international collaboration of about 17 countries led by NASA

Astronomical SatellitesUsed to obtain data about the earth's magnetic field, solar wind, detect EM radiation from outer space

Can be used to detect the existence of various objects, ranging from stars and galaxies to quasars, invisible gas clouds, black holes and the remains of dead stars

RoversSpace exploration vehicle designed to move across the surface of a planet or other celestial body

Operation:Transport members of a human spaceflight crew (Lunar missions) Fully autonomous robots (Mars rovers)

Space ProbesUnmanned spacecraft that travels through space to collect information and send back data

Used to study Earth, planets, stars, galaxies, or measure properties of space with telescopes or other instruments

Most famous space probe is Voyager 1Launched in 1977Has travelled further than any other man-made objectSent to study Jupiter and Saturn, then to continue to the edge of our solar systemCurrently in interstellar space (about 11 billion miles away)

InterferometryTechnique used to improve the resolution of radio maps; useful because it accounts for errors caused by light pollution and turbulence of Earths atmosphere

Process: Several telescopes observe the object at the same time, and a computer analyzes how the signals differ from each other and correct the difference

Interferometer: collection of two or more telescopes working together as a team, observing the same object at the same time and at the same wavelength

Astronomy Feb 4, 2014Intro to Chapter 6

In 2-3 complete sentences, state whether or not you believe it is important for organizations such as NASA to continue to receive funding to advance space exploration technology.Astronomy Feb 5, 2014Basic Astro. ToolsHow do reflecting telescopes differ from refracting telescopes?

What are the three basic categories of telescopic/astronomical observations?

In at least one complete sentence, speculate on the effect that light pollution has on an astronomers ability to make observations.Astronomy Feb 6 2014Light CurvesHow does a supernova appear on a light curve line graph?How does a binary star system appear on a light curve line graph?What would a regular, constantly emitting star (like our Sun) look like on a light curve over a week period?

SpectrometerHubble TelescopeNeutrino DetectorRadio TelescopeSOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy)Spitzer Space TelescopeLIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory)Refracting TelescopeReflecting TelescopeFermi Gamma-Ray ObservatorySchmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Chandra X-Ray ObservatoryOpportunity and Spirit Mars RoversGran Telescopio CanariasCuriosity Mars RoverCassini-Huygens Space ProbeAquarius RadiometerCompton Gamma Ray Observatory

Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer SatelliteGalileo Space ProbeHerschel Space ObservatoryINTEGRAL (International Gamma Ray Astrophysics Laboratory)James Webb Space TelescopeSTEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory)Venera 7 Space ProbePioneer 10 Space ProbeNew Horizons Interstellar ProbeSputnik SatelliteApollo Lunar Roving VehicleAstrophotography