Space Telescopes
Image courtesy of NASA
Once, telescopes were instruments used only from Earth; however, now scientists gather information transmitted by satellites that actually orbit in space. From radio telescopes that detect radio waves to the space telescopes that read gamma rays, telescope technology has advanced in ways that allow astronomers to harness different views of space. The technology involved in the design of space telescopes equip scientists with the tools to observe space throughout a range of wavelengths.
This advanced technology does not come cheap, though. For instance, the Hubble Space Telescope's initial cost was $1.5 billion, but over the years it has cost almost $6 billion in maintenance and upgrades. Why spend the time and money to construct and launch elaborate spaced-based telescopes when there are a variety of highly advanced telescopes on Earth? The Earth’s atmosphere that gives protection to life on Earth actually can inhibit Earth-based telescopes from getting the fullest and clearest picture of space and its objects. Space telescopes reside in space beyond the atmosphere and transmit images to Earth. As shown in this image of the Hubble Space Telescope, data is collected by the Hubble then sent to a tracking and data relay satellite also in space. That satellite sends the data to ground-station satellites, after which the data is used by astronomers to create images of space.
The types of images created from the data depends on the type of space telescope. Some space telescopes are able to observe infrared and ultraviolet rays, which are unable to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. Composite images of celestial views have also been made from images of various space telescopes. Such images give a more detailed perspective.
To learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope, view the video Hubble Space Telescope from eMediaVA℠. As you view the video, consider why space is a good place to put a telescope, as well as how a telescope is repaired when it is already in orbit.
There are a multitude of space telescopes that have been launched into space; however, some are more well-known than others. In this interactivity, click on each of the spinning circles to learn facts about each of the most important space telescopes. Click the player to begin.
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Space Telescopes Review
Check to see how well you know some of the space telescopes that have been launched into space by completing this non-graded activity. Read each description provided and click on the satellite that best matches the description. Once you have selected your answer, click SUBMIT to check your response. Click the player to get started.