Tools of an Astronomer After School Astronomy Clubs Dorian Janney

How do we know what is out there in space? We observe things in the night sky. We wonder about the things we observe. We design tools to use to learn about these things. As our technology improves, our tools get better too!

Ancient Astronomers Observed and measured repeating patterns of Sun to create clocks and calendars Used such tools as astrolabes to determine the positions of stars and planets in the night sky and to determine the latitude of ships at sea

Telescopes

Space-based Telescopes Using space-based telescopes, we can see much further into space because we don’t have to look through the Earth’s atmosphere. In 1990 the United States launched the first space telescope, called “The Hubble Space Telescope”

Fly By Missions These are missions that simply fly past an object, or maybe several objects in a long period of time. These are missions that simply fly past an object, or maybe several objects in a long period of time. Voyager 1 and 2, which were sent into space in 1977, sent us detailed images from the four gas giants- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Voyager 1 and 2, which were sent into space in 1977, sent us detailed images from the four gas giants- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Orbiter Missions These missions are sent in orbit around a planet, and allow us to learn about the planet as a whole. They may stay in orbit for many years, and send us back so much information that we can create detailed maps of that planet’s surface.

Lander Missions A lander does just that- it actually lands on the planet. A lander does just that- it actually lands on the planet. What kinds of things might we be able to find out about a planet by landing on it? What kinds of things might we be able to find out about a planet by landing on it? Why can’t we send a lander mission to the Sun? Why can’t we send a lander mission to the Sun? Why don’t we send people to other planets? Why don’t we send people to other planets?

Rover Missions With Rover missions, we aren’t stuck in one spot on a planet or moon. What do you think we might discover with a Rover mission that we couldn’t with another type of mission?

Future Space Missions

International Space Station The International Space Station is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history. The International Space Station is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history. Led by the United States, the ISS draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 nations: Canada, Japan, Russia, 11 nations of the European Space Agency and Brazil Led by the United States, the ISS draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 nations: Canada, Japan, Russia, 11 nations of the European Space Agency and Brazil

What would you design? You will be our next generation of explorers! You will be our next generation of explorers! Imagine you are designing a spacecraft- Imagine you are designing a spacecraft- - What would you want to learn about? - What type of spacecraft might you design? - Where would you send your spacecraft?