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Modern Telescopes Lecture 12
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Imaging Astronomy in 19c Photography in 19c revolutionize the astronomy Photography in 19c revolutionize the astronomy ability to collect light (photons) over long time = long exposures can see fainter object. film “catch” only 1 photons out of 50 incoming. Efficiency is about 2% Charge-Coupled-Device (CCD) = digital camera Charge-Coupled-Device (CCD) = digital camera about 70% efficiency images can be displayed on computer screen in real time. “remote observation” : observing Keck telescopes in Hawaii from 1000s km away. In the old days, astronomers are using photographic plates (film on glass).
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Photometry measurements of brightness of objects measurements of brightness of objects
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1.6m by 3 m size 1.6m by 3 m size covers 3.5° field of view covers 3.5° field of view 3600 Mega pixels 3600 Mega pixels Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (8m) Camera image the entire viewable sky every 2-3 nights image the entire viewable sky every 2-3 nights Produce about 15TB data evey night Produce about 15TB data evey night
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Measuring spectra one of the most important usage of telescopes Spectrograph = a device that records spectra = diffraction grating + CCD Spectroscopy diffraction pattern from CDs
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Two types of Spectra Absorption Spectrum Emission Spectrum
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Atmospheric Transmission Because of the Earth Atmosphere, observations at Gamma-ray, X-ray, UV, far-infrared, long radio wavelengths should be done in space!
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Go beyond the atmosphere SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) 2.5m telescope in a flying Boeing 747! 2.5m telescope in a flying Boeing 747! Will fly at 41,000 feet (12km!). Will fly at 41,000 feet (12km!).
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Radio telescopes Using parabolic metal dish (reflecting antenna). Using parabolic metal dish (reflecting antenna). Molecules in space… (organic molecules!!) Molecules in space… (organic molecules!!) Angular resolution in interferometry mode = two+ telescopes observing the same astronomical object resulting an angular resolution of a single telescope (whose diameter is equal to the baseline of two telescopes). Angular resolution in interferometry mode = two+ telescopes observing the same astronomical object resulting an angular resolution of a single telescope (whose diameter is equal to the baseline of two telescopes). Parkes telescope Australia, 64m
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Radio Astronomy Because of the diffraction limit of telescope (θ = λ / D), although radio telescopes are large (30-60 m), images taken at radio wavelengths are lower resolution. Map of Saturn taken with VLA at 2cm.
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Radio telescopes in interferometry mode Very Large Array (VLA) : 27 antennae over ~20km arm. New Mexico Very Large Array (VLA) : 27 antennae over ~20km arm. New Mexico
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Very Large Baseline Interfemetry Radio telescopes over several continents Radio telescopes over several continents Compared to a single-dish radio telescope, VLBI can produce 10,000+ better resolution images. Compared to a single-dish radio telescope, VLBI can produce 10,000+ better resolution images.
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VLBI in space Ground-based radio telescopes + radio telescope in Earth orbit Ground-based radio telescopes + radio telescope in Earth orbit
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Infrared Telescopes Orion in Optical Orion in Infrared
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Ultraviolet & Infrared Telescopes Spitzer IR telescope (85cm) Hubble telescope (2.4m)
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Non-optical wavelengths carry additional information!
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Next Generation Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) 6.5m telescope 6.5m telescope Earth-trailing orbit Earth-trailing orbit
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X-ray Telescopes Explore objects with temperatures of > 10 6 degrees Explore objects with temperatures of > 10 6 degrees For example, Super-massive black- hole at M87 (nearby galaxy) For example, Super-massive black- hole at M87 (nearby galaxy)
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European X-ray Telescope
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False-color images SuperNova remnant (Supernova exploded 325 years ago) SuperNova remnant (Supernova exploded 325 years ago) Three space telescopes (X-ray : blue, Hubble: green, Spitzer: red) Three space telescopes (X-ray : blue, Hubble: green, Spitzer: red)
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In summary… Important Concepts Atmospheric Windows Multi-wavelength astronomy Important Terms Photometry Spectroscopy CCD Chapter/sections covered in this lecture : sections 6-4 through 6-7
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