1. Tools of Astronomy Chapter 28.1 Pages 747-752

2. The Best Tool The Light that comes to earth from distant objects is the best tool that astronomers can use to learn about the universe. In most cases there’s no other way to study the cosmos except to analyze the light that we receive from it.

3. Radiation Electromagnetic Radiation consists of waves of electrical and magnetic disturbances. Includes Visible light, Infrared and UV radiation, radio waves, microwaves, x-rays, and gamma rays. Classified by wavelength and frequency.

4. Telescopes: 2 Types REFRACTING: uses lenses to bring visible light into focus. REFLECTING: Uses mirrors to bring Visible Light into focus. INTERFEROMETRY: The process of linking separate telescopes together so that they act like one telescope, and the images are much clearer the farther the object is away from the telescope.

5. Satellites/Probes The Earth’s Atmosphere blocks infrared (IR)& UV radiation, X & Gamma rays, so the images are blurry with telescopes. So we send up Satellites and probes to receive better information. Hubble Telescopes takes in visible, UV and IR waves. Chandra X-ray uses X-ray waves.

6. PROBES Probes are used to make close up observations and sometimes collect information directly from the site.