Astronomical Technology Thought question: When we observe the stars, are we seeing them as they are in that exact moment we see them?

How do we observe the universe? Naked-Eye Observations All sorts of telescopes Space Probes and Satellites Manned Space Craft Advanced particle physics (theoretical)

The Electromagnetic Spectrum What we see as light is actually just a tiny fraction of the spectrum of light waves. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays are all light as well, we just need special instruments to see these spectrums

Naked Eye Observations Human-kind has been looking to the heavens since the origins of civilization. Many ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, the Mayans, the Egyptians, and many more all possessed extensive knowledge of the stars and planets.

Naked Eye Observations We can still gaze in wonder at the stars today! Just look up outside at night! Venus is a very easy planet to spot Many other planets can be seen without telescopes as well

Optical Telescopes Objects are viewed in visible light Many are used by amateur astronomers but do have use in scientific research Two types: Refracting telescope: uses convex lenses to magnify light Reflecting telescope: uses curved mirrors to concentrate light

Radio Telescopes Radio Telescope Visible Light Translations Detects radio waves and microwaves using large groups of satellite dish-like antennas. We cannot see radio waves so computers translate the radio signal from the telescope into a visible light picture

Space Telescopes Telescopes with are placed into orbit around Earth in space have a huge advantage to ground based telescopes because they are above the distortion of the atmosphere and away from interference from other technology, thus can measure all types of light clearly The most famous space telescope, The Hubble Space Telescope

Astronomical Spectroscopes Astronomical spectroscopes focus on very narrow bands of the electromagnetic spectrum for applications such as determining the elemental composition of stars and planets

Space Probes Space probes are robotic measuring devices sent to collect data around our solar system. Ex: Mars rovers; The Apollo moon lander; Voyager space probe which closely explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto

Artificial Satellites Man-made satellites are artificial objects which are put into orbit around Earth They serve a huge variety of functions both for studying Earth’s surface and outer space Sputnik 1 – first artificial satellite launched in 1957 but the Soviet Union

Manned Space Craft Over the past 70 years we have sent humans into space in a variety of crafts for a variety of scientific purposes Notable Missions: Apollo 11- first humans on the moon The International Space Station: astronauts from around the globe live here in space and conduct a huge variety of experiments. The Space Shuttle Program

The International Space Station (ISS) The ISS became operational in 1998; it is a cooperative effort between many different nations The ISS is an science lab orbiting the Earth to study astronomy, studying the effects of space on the human body for future manned missions, and studying the Earth’s surface from space.

Future Space Missions Multiple agencies are planning manned missions to Mars by the 2020s. As technology progresses we likely take on missions to further bodies such as the moons Titan or Enceladus, which may harbor simple life! The main goals of manned space missions seems to be to find habitable areas for human colonization and to discover extraterrestrial life.