What is a space observatory?
Q: What is a space observatory?
A: A space observatory is any instrument in outer space which is used for observation of distant objects, such as planets, stars, galaxies and other outer space objects.
Q: How does the Earth's atmosphere affect observations from Earth?
A: The atmosphere filters and distorts what is seen and recorded when observing from Earth. This effect causes stars to appear to "twinkle" in the sky. As a result, pictures taken by satellite telescopes are much clearer than those taken by ground-based telescopes.
Q: What frequency ranges can be observed with satellite-based telescopes?
A: Satellite-based telescopes can observe frequencies outside the optical and radio windows, such as X-ray astronomy which is nearly impossible when done from the Earth. Infrared and ultraviolet are also largely blocked by the atmosphere.
Q: Where are most space observatories located?
A: Most space observatories are located in low Earth orbit.
Q: Why do ground-based telescopes produce blurred images?
A: Ground-based telescopes produce blurred images due to turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere, an effect known as seeing.
Q: How has satellite telescope technology impacted astronomy?
A: Satellite telescope technology has opened up the universe to human eyes and allowed for much clearer pictures than those taken by ground-based telescopes even though they may be very large. It has also made it possible to observe frequency ranges outside of optical and radio windows that were previously inaccessible or difficult to observe from earth.
Q: What makes stars twinkle in the sky?
A: Stars twinkle in the sky due to turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere blurring images taken by ground based telescopes, an effect known as seeing
