Science & Technology

Science & Technology Science is concerned with gathering knowledge and organizing it. Technology is applied science. Provides the tools needed by scientist in their further explorations Used for practical purposes by technologists and engineers Technology is a double-edged sword. It can be helpful and harmful.

Hubble Space Telescope Named after astronomer Edwin Hubble Launched in 1990 Sensitivity to Light: Ultraviolet through infrared (115 nm to 2500 nm) Size of a large school bus Power source: Sun http://hubblesite.org/the_telescope/hubble_essentials/quick_facts.php

Satellites Satellite: is basically any object that revolves around a planet in a circular or elliptical path Examples: GPS, Emergency radio beacon, cable tv First satellite: Sputnik http://science.howstuffworks.com/satellite1.htm

Observatories Observatory (in astronomy): a building or group of buildings from which the heavens are studied. Observatories range in size from a single small building in an amateur astronomer's backyard to huge complexes where many professional astronomers work and live. Two basic types of ground observatories. Optic radio

Optical observatories Can study: visible light from stars, planets and other objects. Location on the ground: clear, dry, calm and stable air and far from cities Island mountaintops Remote mountaintops Equipment: telescope

Radio Observatories Radio observatories study the heavens with radio waves, either emitted by the objects studied or transmitted from the earth and reflected from the moon or planets. Larger than optical telescopes – necessary to focus the radio waves which are much longer than light waves.

Location: valleys surrounded by mountains. Light, clouds and turbulences have virtually no effect on radio telescopes. Radio signals from broadcasting stations and electrical machinery interfere with observations. Mountains or hills surrounding the radio observatory block out stray radio signals http://science.howstuffworks.com/observatory-info2.htm

Telescopes Telescope focuses light and creates an image http://science.howstuffworks.com/telescope1.htm Telescope focuses light and creates an image The image is recorded Old school – draw it Later – photography Today – CCD: charge-coupled devices