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:
  • adaptive optics
  • interferometry
  • active optics

Students:

• identify data sources, plan, choose equipment or resources for, and perform an investigation to demonstrate why it is desirable for telescopes to have a large diameter objective lens or mirror in terms of both sensitivity and resolution