Understanding Astronomy

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Advanced technology is spawning a new generation of equipment to view the universe

CCDs (charge-coupled devices)

Large telescopes on remote mountain tops

Mauna Kea in Hawaii

Cerro Pachon in Chile

Adaptive Optics to counteract the blurring of Earth’s atmosphere

Orbiting space observatories

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A Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)

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Ordinary Photographs vs. CCDs

Film (negative) CCD (negative) CCD (positive)

Same integration (I.e. exposure) time.

Different quantum efficiency: Film 1% CCD 70%

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Matching 10-m, multiple mirror Keck Telescopes in Hawaii with adaptive optics

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High above Earth’s atmosphere, the Hubble Space Telescope provides stunning details about the universe

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What did you think?

What is the main purpose of a telescope?

A telescope is designed to collect as much light as possible. It also improves resolution and magnifies images.

Why do stars twinkle?

Rapid changes in the density of Earth’s atmosphere cause passing starlight to change direction, making stars appear to twinkle.