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Chapter 5: Telescopes: Windows to the Universe
Telescope Configurations
Various arrangements of mirrors and lenses are used in telescopes. Some telescopes are designed to be used at different optical configurations, thus utilizing their different features for the needs of specific projects.
Telescope configurations are described and drawn on this site. Describe two configurations that are not covered in our textbook.
Visit the How Telescopes Work web site
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The Very Large Array
Telescopes are no longer limited to magnifying what we see; they now include instruments that can map the sky in all regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Use this site to describe the VLA, including what the acronym stands for, the number of telescopes, their size, their arrangement, when the VLA began operating, and the frequency range at which it operates. Follow the link on Radio Astronomy, where you will find a nice historical description of the field (and more). Do the exercise on making your own radio image.
Visit the NRAO VLA Home Page web site
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Telescope Basics
Instruments to measure and view the universe have changed considerably since Galileo first used a telescope to study the heavens systematically. Visit the site linked above for interesting facts about telescopes.
Write a short summary about the main issues and challenges related to the latest technology used to make telescopes.
Visit the Telescope Basics web site
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The Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
The HST is returning amazing and often beautiful images of object and events, many of which have never been seen before.
Visit the Hubble Space Telescope site to find a general overview of the HST, its missions and objectives. 1) Name the "current science instruments" on the HST and briefly describe the function of each. 2) What is the typical angular resolution of the HST?
Visit the Hubble Space Telescope web site
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