Satellites, Telescopes, Probes and Rovers

Definitions Satellite – object that revolves around another object in space Natural – the moon Man-Made Telescope – device built to observe distant objects by making them appear closer Probes – unmanned spacecraft that collects information in space Rovers – small robotic space probe that can move about the surface of a planet or moon

Artificial Satellites International Space Station multi-national effort (US, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada orbiting Earth Launched in 2000

Chandra X-Ray Observatory Specially designed telescope that detects X-ray emission from very hot regions of the universe such as exploded stars and matter around black holes. Helps them to understand what the universe is made of and how it was created Because X-rays are absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere, Chandra must orbit above it Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Hubble Telescope Hubble was the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. Above the distortion of the atmosphere, far far above rain clouds and light pollution, Hubble has an unobstructed view of the universe. Scientists have used Hubble to observe the most distant stars and galaxies as well as the planets in our solar system. Hubble was launched in 1990 Hubble Telescope

Spitzer Space Telescope Formerly known as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility is an infrared telescope that studies the early universe, young galaxies and forming stars Spitzer space telescope

Compton Gamma Ray Observatory On April 5, 1991, the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory (CGRO) was launched. Detects the broad range of high energy radiation known as gamma-rays. The observatory was safely deorbited and re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on June 4, 2000. Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

NASA’s Great Observatories Used to collect and analyze radiation emitted throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Series of four space-borne observatories designed to conduct astronomical studies over many different wavelengths (visible, gamma rays, X-rays, and infrared). NASA's Great Observatories

Fermi-Gamma-Ray Space Telescope Launched in 2008 Uses gamma-ray detection equipment to study blazars and active galaxies, Gamma-ray bursts, Neutron stars, Cosmic rays and supernova remnants, The Milky Way galaxy, Gamma-ray background radiation, The early universe, Our solar system, Dark matter, and the unknown Has shown us a structure centered in the Milky Way that may be the remnant of an eruption from a supersized black hole at the center of our galaxy Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) will be a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter primary mirror.  The telescope will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana in October of 2018. The Webb

More Major Space Telescopes More About Space Telescopes

Space Probes Cassini probe – explore Saturn Galileo probe – explore Jupiter Lunar Prospector – explore our moon

Rovers Curiosity Rover – explore Mars Earlier Mars’ Rovers: Opportunity and Spirit