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Exploring the Universe with Telescopes and Light Dr. Frank Summers Space Telescope Science Institute December 5, 2008
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How Telescopes Changed Astronomy
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Tycho Brahe 1546-1601
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Galileo 1609 – First use of telescope for astronomy
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Refracting Telescope Two glass lenses Long tube Refract – light bends
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Yerkes 40 inch 1895 60 feet long
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Telescope Qualities Resolution –See small things –Refractor - long tube Light Gathering –See faint things –Refractor - large lens
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Isaac Newton 1668 reflecting telescope
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Reflecting Telescope Mirrors to collect and focus light Lens as eyepiece Reflect –light bounces Shorter tube Larger mirrors
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Herschel 7 foot 1780s 6.2 inch mirror
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Leviathan 1845 72 inch mirror 54 feet long
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Mount Palomar 1948 200 inch mirror
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http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/
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http://amazing-space.stsci.edu
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From Astrometry to Astronomy
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Galileo 1610 Siderius Nuncius
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Riccioli 1651
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Galileo 1610
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Messier 1774
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Messier 1774
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Draper 1882
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Hubble 2006
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Build a Refracting Telescope
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Hands-On Optics Inquiry-based activities Collaboration –International Society for Optical Engineering –Optical Society of America –National Optical Astronomy Observatory –National Science Foundation http://www.hands-on-optics.org
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Hands-On Optics Terrific Telescopes –Selected three activities –Significantly abbreviated Module 3: Magnificent Magnifications –sciencefirst.com $475 classroom kit
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Simple Magnifiers Materials –Thinner lens –Thicker lens –Astronomy picture Always handle lenses by edges Handout for reference
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Simple Magnifiers 1.Hold a lens about an inch away from picture. 2.Move lens toward and away from picture. 3.Try it with the other type of lens.
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Simple Magnifiers Which lens magnifies more? At what distance does magnification cease?
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Simple Magnifiers Which lens magnifies more? At what distance does magnification cease? Thinner lens – 20 cm focal length Thicker lens – 7.5 cm focal length
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Build a Refracting Telescope I Materials –Thinner lens (20 cm focal length) –Thicker lens (7.5 cm focal length) Always handle lenses by edges Handout for reference
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Build a Refracting Telescope I 1.Hold the thinner lens in front of the thicker lens and examine a distant object. 2.Now try the thicker lens in front of the thinner lens. (This can be difficult.)
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Build a Refracting Telescope III Materials –Cardboard tubes (inner and outer) –Plastic bag of optics Large lens Cardboard washer Cap Small lens Foam eyepiece holder Cardboard spacer Always handle lenses by edges Handout for reference
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Build a Refracting Telescope III 1.Put curved side of large lens against end of outer tube. Add washer and cap. 2.Push small lens into foam eyepiece holder. 3.Slide cardboard spacer into foam eyepiece holder against the flat side of small lens. 4.Slide foam eyepiece holder into inner tube with cardboard spacer toward end.
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Build a Refracting Telescope How does a plano-convex lens differ from a double convex lens? What knowledge or skills would be important in making telescopes? How might professional telescopes differ from these simple models?
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Exploring with Light and Color
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Exploring Visible Light
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Where do the colors come from? What is the difference between light of different colors?
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Exploring Visible Light
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Exploring Emission Spectra Materials –Discharge tubes –Power supplies –Diffraction grating glasses Do not touch tubes or power supply –HIGH VOLTAGE Teacher Handout Student Handout
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Exploring Emission Spectra 1.Observe the gas tube with your eyes. 2.Observe the gas tube through the diffraction glasses. 3.Repeat for other gas tubes.
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Exploring Emission Spectra Where might astronomers see emission spectra? What information would an emission spectra provide?
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Spectrum of the Sun – Type G2 Star
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Spectrum of Arcturus – Type K1 Star
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Spectrum of Procyon – Type F5 Star
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The Universe Beyond Your Eyes
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Hubble Space Telescope Spitzer Space Telescope Chandra X-ray Observatory
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Chandra Hubble Spitzer Compton
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How Light is Used as a Tool Materials –Electromagnetic spectrum poster Teacher Handout Student Handout
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How Light is Used as a Tool 1.Identify a feature that is visible in several types of light. 2.Identify a feature that is visible in only one type of light.
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How Light is Used as a Tool What do astronomers gain by observing the same object using different types of light? How might multi-wavelength observations affect specialization and collaboration in astronomy?
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Myths vs Realities Handout Exploring with Light and Color –Full packet available –Bonnie Eisenhamer –bonnie@stsci.edu
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