Tools of the Trade

Over the course of the years, the way that people observe the sky has evolved and adapted based on available technology. Modern technology gives astronomers the ability to see farther and clearer into space with a variety of tools, such as telescopes and observatories. Planetariums allow people who study or are just interested in astronomy a visualization of the position and movement of celestial objects. Spectroscopes or spectrometers extend science's range of discovery even farther into space by offering the capability to gather information about the composition, density, and temperature of celestial bodies.

Essential Questions

• What are the tools of astronomers?
• How are these tools used in the study of astronomy?