Space Telescopes

Space Telescopes

1. The atmosphere can mess up measurements

   • Astronomers need accurate measurements to be able to understand whats going on in space but our atmosphere can mess up the results
   • Our atmosphere only lets certain wavelengths of EM radiation pass through and blocks the others. some radiation like radiowaves pass through the atmosphere without much trouble but visible light is badly effected. Light gets refracted by the water in the atmosphere which blurs the images. light can be absorbed by dust particles in the air. Sites on earth are chosen carefully to avoid as many of these as possible.

2. Space Telescopes Have a Clearer View than those on earth

   • Less EM radiation is affected as there is no atmosphere
   • Hubble telescope was launched by NASA in 1990
   • Getting a telescope into space is hard and when things go wrong its difficult ro repair. Hubbles first pictures were fuzzy because the mirror was the wrong shape and nasa had to send astronauts to fix it.
   • Most astronomy is done by earth based telescopes as they are a lot cheaper and easier to build and mantain. The hubble cost over £3 billion. Astronomers have come up with ways to remove the effects of the atomsphere

3. There are many uncertainties in space programmes

   • Governmentss have to balance paying these sums with other costly priorities like defence healthcare and coping with natural disasters. Many counrties space programmes are linked so cut backs in one country can have an effect on others