Using Technology to See beyond the Visible

The Electromagnetic Spectrum There are many types of radiation coming from stars: Radio waves Infrared waves (heat) UV waves X rays Gamma Rays Light is only a SMALL portion of the entire spectrum.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Electromagnetic spectrum

The Electromagnetic spectrum

Radio Telescopes

Radio Telescopes These use radio waves which are long, weak and quite harmless – yet travel large distances! Astronomers use these waves to map stars, galaxies, and nebulae from ours and other solar systems Computers and electronics are used to map these signals one they are recorded

Many radio telescopes use a bowl- shaped reflector called a dish to collect radio waves from space. The reflector focuses the waves onto an antenna that changes them into electric signals. A radio receiver amplifies these signals and records their strength at different frequencies and from different directions. The information is analyzed by a computer to draw a picture of the source of the radio waves or to analyze the chemicals found in the source.

Radio telescopes can work in any type of weather, they are not affected by pollution, clouds or the atmosphere By focusing radio telescopes on areas that appear empty, astronomers have found information previously unknown Neutral hydrogen – emits no light, but does emit energy; they mapped its distribution and found out we are in a spiral galaxy Usually made from metal mesh, curved inwards and have a receiver in the middle These waves are transformed to a electrical signal that gets read by a computer for interpretation

Radio Interferometry Just like with reflecting telescopes- radio telescopes can be combined for a greater resolving power An array (more than 1 telescope together) works to help bring accuracy and clarity to visions of the land beyond

Space Probes Are unmanned satellites or remote controlled ”landers” that use equipment to explore places that are too dangerous for humans at this time! These probes/landers take pictures of places as well as possibly samples of the surface of planets

SPACE PROBES – Use pg. 444 Name of Space Probe Date and Mission Mariner 1973-75; Flyby of Mercury Pioneer 11 1974-1979; Flyby of Jupiter and Saturn Viking 1976; Mars Landing Voyagers 1 and 2 1977, Flyby of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune Venera 1982; Venus landing Magellan 1994, Flyby of Venus Galileo 1995; Flyby of Jupiter Ulysses 1999; High latitude pass of Jupiter Mars Global Explorer 2000; Orbiting of Mars Mars Pathfinder 2000; Mars landing Cassini 2004; Flyby of Saturn

SPACE EXPLORAtion Opportunity and Spirit Saturn Collision of Probe with Comet!