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Space telescope

March 03, 2023

A space telescope or space observatory is a telescope in outer space used to observe astronomical objects. Suggested by Lyman Spitzer in 1946, the first operational telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, OAO-2 launched in 1968, and the Soviet Orion 1 ultraviolet telescope aboard space station Salyut 1 in 1971. Space telescopes avoid the filtering and distortion (scintillation) of electromagnetic radiation which they observe, and avoid light pollution which ground-based observatories encounter. They are divided into two types: Satellites which map the entire sky (astronomical survey), and satellites which focus on selected astronomical objects or parts of the sky and beyond. Space telescopes are distinct from Earth imaging satellites, which point toward Earth for satellite imaging, applied for weather analysis, espionage, and other types of information gathering.

History

 
Spitzer, Hubble and XMM with their most important parts depicted

Wilhelm Beer and Johann Heinrich Mädler in 1837 discussed the advantages of an observatory on the Moon.[1] In 1946, American theoretical astrophysicist Lyman Spitzer proposed a telescope in space.[2] Spitzer's proposal called for a large telescope that would not be hindered by Earth's atmosphere. After lobbying in the 1960s and 70s for such a system to be built, Spitzer's vision ultimately materialized into the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched on April 24, 1990 by the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31).[3][4]

The first operational space telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, OAO-2 launched in 1968, and the Soviet Orion 1 ultraviolet telescope aboard space station Salyut 1 in 1971.

Advantages

Performing astronomy from ground-based observatories on Earth is limited by the filtering and distortion of electromagnetic radiation (scintillation or twinkling) due to the atmosphere.[1] A telescope orbiting Earth outside the atmosphere is subject neither to twinkling nor to light pollution from artificial light sources on Earth. As a result, the angular resolution of space telescopes is often much higher than a ground-based telescope with a similar aperture. Many larger terrestrial telescopes, however, reduce atmospheric effects with adaptive optics.

 
Space and ground observatories' wavelength working ranges compared against atmospheric transparency windows

Space-based astronomy is more important for frequency ranges that are outside the optical window and the radio window, the only two wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not severely attenuated by the atmosphere. For example, X-ray astronomy is nearly impossible when done from Earth, and has reached its current importance in astronomy only due to orbiting X-ray telescopes such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the XMM-Newton observatory. Infrared and ultraviolet are also largely blocked.

Disadvantages

Space telescopes are much more expensive to build than ground-based telescopes. Due to their location, space telescopes are also extremely difficult to maintain. The Hubble Space Telescope was serviced by the Space Shuttle, but most space telescopes cannot be serviced at all.

Future of space observatories

Satellites have been launched and operated by NASA, ISRO, ESA, CNSA, JAXA and the Soviet space program (later succeeded by Roscosmos of Russia). As of 2022, many space observatories have already completed their missions, while others continue operating on extended time. However, the future availability of space telescopes and observatories depends on timely and sufficient funding. While future space observatories are planned by NASA, JAXA and the CNSA, scientists fear that there would be gaps in coverage that would not be covered immediately by future projects and this would affect research in fundamental science.[5] For example, there was a fear that there would be a gap in coverage between the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

On 16 January 2023, NASA announced preliminary considerations of several future space telescope programs, including the Great Observatory Technology Maturation Program (GOMAP), Habitable Worlds Observatory and New Great Observatories.[6][7]

List of space telescopes

 
Some space observatories and their wavelength working ranges, as of 2005
For a more comprehensive list, see List of space telescopes.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ley, Willy; Menzel, Donald H.; Richardson, Robert S. (June 1965). "The Observatory on the Moon". For Your Information. Galaxy Science Fiction. pp. 132–150.
  2. ^ "Hubble Essentials: About Lyman Spitzer, Jr". Hubble Site. Space Telescope Science Institute.
  3. ^ "Hubble Essentials: Quick Facts". Hubble Site. Space Telescope Science Institute.
  4. ^ . Vic Stathopoulos. Archived from the original on 2010-12-25.
  5. ^ Kaplan, Sarah (18 October 2018). "As NASA's Telescopes Falter, Astronomers Fear Losing Their Eyes In Space". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (16 January 2023). "NASA prepares next steps in development of future large space telescope". SpaceNews. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  7. ^ O'Callaghan, Jonthan (23 January 2023). "JWST Heralds a New Dawn for Exoplanet Science - The James Webb Space Telescope is opening an exciting new chapter in the study of exoplanets and the search for life beyond Earth". Scientific American. Retrieved 24 January 2023.

Further reading

  • Neil English: Space Telescopes - Capturing the Rays of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Springer, Cham 2017, ISBN 978-3-319-27812-4.

External links

  •   Media related to Space telescopes at Wikimedia Commons·

March 03, 2023
space, telescope, space, telescope, space, observatory, telescope, outer, space, used, observe, astronomical, objects, suggested, lyman, spitzer, 1946, first, operational, telescopes, were, american, orbiting, astronomical, observatory, launched, 1968, soviet,. A space telescope or space observatory is a telescope in outer space used to observe astronomical objects Suggested by Lyman Spitzer in 1946 the first operational telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO 2 launched in 1968 and the Soviet Orion 1 ultraviolet telescope aboard space station Salyut 1 in 1971 Space telescopes avoid the filtering and distortion scintillation of electromagnetic radiation which they observe and avoid light pollution which ground based observatories encounter They are divided into two types Satellites which map the entire sky astronomical survey and satellites which focus on selected astronomical objects or parts of the sky and beyond Space telescopes are distinct from Earth imaging satellites which point toward Earth for satellite imaging applied for weather analysis espionage and other types of information gathering The Hubble Space Telescope one of the Great Observatories Contents 1 History 2 Advantages 3 Disadvantages 4 Future of space observatories 5 List of space telescopes 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksHistory Edit Spitzer Hubble and XMM with their most important parts depicted Wilhelm Beer and Johann Heinrich Madler in 1837 discussed the advantages of an observatory on the Moon 1 In 1946 American theoretical astrophysicist Lyman Spitzer proposed a telescope in space 2 Spitzer s proposal called for a large telescope that would not be hindered by Earth s atmosphere After lobbying in the 1960s and 70s for such a system to be built Spitzer s vision ultimately materialized into the Hubble Space Telescope which was launched on April 24 1990 by the Space Shuttle Discovery STS 31 3 4 The first operational space telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO 2 launched in 1968 and the Soviet Orion 1 ultraviolet telescope aboard space station Salyut 1 in 1971 Advantages EditPerforming astronomy from ground based observatories on Earth is limited by the filtering and distortion of electromagnetic radiation scintillation or twinkling due to the atmosphere 1 A telescope orbiting Earth outside the atmosphere is subject neither to twinkling nor to light pollution from artificial light sources on Earth As a result the angular resolution of space telescopes is often much higher than a ground based telescope with a similar aperture Many larger terrestrial telescopes however reduce atmospheric effects with adaptive optics Space and ground observatories wavelength working ranges compared against atmospheric transparency windows Space based astronomy is more important for frequency ranges that are outside the optical window and the radio window the only two wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not severely attenuated by the atmosphere For example X ray astronomy is nearly impossible when done from Earth and has reached its current importance in astronomy only due to orbiting X ray telescopes such as the Chandra X ray Observatory and the XMM Newton observatory Infrared and ultraviolet are also largely blocked Disadvantages EditSpace telescopes are much more expensive to build than ground based telescopes Due to their location space telescopes are also extremely difficult to maintain The Hubble Space Telescope was serviced by the Space Shuttle but most space telescopes cannot be serviced at all Future of space observatories EditThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page September 2017 Satellites have been launched and operated by NASA ISRO ESA CNSA JAXA and the Soviet space program later succeeded by Roscosmos of Russia As of 2022 many space observatories have already completed their missions while others continue operating on extended time However the future availability of space telescopes and observatories depends on timely and sufficient funding While future space observatories are planned by NASA JAXA and the CNSA scientists fear that there would be gaps in coverage that would not be covered immediately by future projects and this would affect research in fundamental science 5 For example there was a fear that there would be a gap in coverage between the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope JWST On 16 January 2023 NASA announced preliminary considerations of several future space telescope programs including the Great Observatory Technology Maturation Program GOMAP Habitable Worlds Observatory and New Great Observatories 6 7 List of space telescopes Edit Some space observatories and their wavelength working ranges as of 2005 For a more comprehensive list see List of space telescopes See also EditAirborne observatory Earth observation satellite List of telescope types Observatory Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes Timeline of telescopes observatories and observing technology Ultraviolet astronomy X ray astronomy satelliteReferences Edit a b Ley Willy Menzel Donald H Richardson Robert S June 1965 The Observatory on the Moon For Your Information Galaxy Science Fiction pp 132 150 Hubble Essentials About Lyman Spitzer Jr Hubble Site Space Telescope Science Institute Hubble Essentials Quick Facts Hubble Site Space Telescope Science Institute The Hubble Space Telescope Vic Stathopoulos Archived from the original on 2010 12 25 Kaplan Sarah 18 October 2018 As NASA s Telescopes Falter Astronomers Fear Losing Their Eyes In Space NDTV com Retrieved 19 October 2018 Foust Jeff 16 January 2023 NASA prepares next steps in development of future large space telescope SpaceNews Retrieved 24 January 2023 O Callaghan Jonthan 23 January 2023 JWST Heralds a New Dawn for Exoplanet Science The James Webb Space Telescope is opening an exciting new chapter in the study of exoplanets and the search for life beyond Earth Scientific American Retrieved 24 January 2023 Further reading EditNeil English Space Telescopes Capturing the Rays of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Springer Cham 2017 ISBN 978 3 319 27812 4 External links Edit Media related to Space telescopes at Wikimedia Commons Portals Astronomy Stars Solar System Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Space telescope amp oldid 1135431682 Future of space observatories, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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