1. What is a Space Telescope?
A space telescope is a telescope located outside Earth’s atmosphere, in space. Being above the atmosphere allows it to capture much clearer and higher-quality images of cosmic objects without atmospheric distortion.
2. Why are Space Telescopes Needed?
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Earth’s atmosphere absorbs and scatters light, especially ultraviolet, infrared, and X-ray radiation
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Space telescopes operate beyond the atmosphere, providing more accurate and detailed data
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They help study stars, galaxies, and other cosmic objects with high precision
3. Famous Space Telescopes:
🔹 Hubble Space Telescope
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Launched in 1990 by NASA and ESA
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Has made numerous important astronomical discoveries
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Studies star clusters, galaxies, black holes, and more
🔹 James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
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Launched in 2021
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Operates mainly in the infrared spectrum
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Designed to study the earliest stars and galaxies in the universe
🔹 Chandra X-ray Observatory
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Specializes in X-ray observations
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Investigates black holes and high-energy phenomena in space
🔹 Spitzer Space Telescope
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Worked in the infrared spectrum
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Helped study star formation and exoplanets
4. Advantages of Space Telescopes:
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No atmospheric interference
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High-quality, precise imaging
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Ability to observe multiple wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum
5. How Does a Space Telescope Work?
A space telescope collects light from distant objects using mirrors and focuses it onto sensors, which convert it into images. These data are then transmitted to Earth for analysis by scientists.
6. Interesting Facts:
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Hubble orbits Earth at about 570 km altitude
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JWST is positioned at the L2 Lagrange point — a stable orbit between Earth and the Sun
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Space telescopes help us better understand the age and expansion of the universe