ASTRONOMY EP#5
1. Galileo’s telescope used simple lenses. What is the primary advantage of using a
simple lens in a refracting telescope?
The simple lens that is used in a refracting telescope is called objective lens. The
primary advantage of this lens in a refracting telescope is that the curved surfaces
will refract the light from the distant object. The refracted light will form an image on
the telescope’s focal plane, that is perpendicular to the optical axis. The curved
surface of simple lenses will cause the light at the outer edges of the lens strikes the
surface more obliquely. This will result in the lens concentrating more on the light
rays that enters the telescope that will result in a more sharp focus at a distance
called a focal length.
2. Optical telescopes reveal much about the nature of astronomical objects. Why do
astronomers also need information provided by gamma-ray, X-ray, infrared, and
radio telescopes.
Astronomers(also need radio telescopes(so that they(can(detect cool hydrogen in
space, see through dust clouds that block visible light and detect certain objects
invisible at other wavelengths.
3. Some people believe that we put astronomical telescopes on high mountaintops
or in orbit because doing so gets them closer to the objects they are observing.
Explain what is wrong with this popular misconception and give the actual reason
telescopes are located in these places.
Some people believe that we put astronomical telescopes on high mountaintops or
in orbit because doing so gets them closer to the objects they are observing. Explain
what is wrong with this popular misconception and give the actual reason telescopes
are located in these places.
- The reason large telescopes are built on tall mountains or put in space is to get
away from the distortion of starlight due to the atmosphere.
- (The main reason we put telescopes into space is to get around the Earth's
atmosphere so that we can get a clearer view of the planets, stars, and galaxies.
Our atmosphere acts like a protective blanket letting only some light through while
blocking others.
