Astrophysics > Earth-Based Observations
Our understanding of celestial objects depends upon observations made from Earth or from space near the Earth
Students learn to:
- discuss Galileo’s use of the telescope to identify features of the Moon
- discuss why some wavebands can be more easily detected from space
- define the terms ‘resolution’ and ‘sensitivity’ of telescopes
- discuss the problems associated with ground-based astronomy in terms of resolution and absorption of radiation and atmospheric distortion
- outline methods by which the resolution and/or sensitivity of ground-based systems can be improved, including:
Extract from Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (Amended October 2002). © 2009, Board of Studies NSW.